Poisoning By Pesticides Could Be Cause of Mysterious Deaths In Nigeria : WHO

19 April, Geneva

The World Health Organisation says poisoning by pesticide could be the cause of 18 mysterious deaths in south-western Nigeria.

Those who died in Ondo state suffered from blurred vision and headaches and then lost consciousness before dying within 24 hours.

A spokesman for the WHO said tests done so far had been negative for viral and bacterial infections.

He said the current theory was that the deaths were caused by weedkiller. The outbreak started in the town of Ode-Irele.