By Rafiu Ajakaye
LAGOS
The World Health Organization (WHO) announced on Sunday that laboratory tests have linked recent mysterious deaths in Nigeria's southwestern Ondo State to herbicides.
"Current hypothesis is (that the) cause of the event is herbicides," Gregory Hartl, a WHO spokesman, tweeted on Sunday.
"Tests done so far are negative for viral and bacterial infection," he said.
Local authorities said Saturday that samples had been taken for testing following the outbreak which has resulted in at least 18 deaths.
Dayo Adeyanju, the Ondo State's health commissioner, said most victims had died within 24 hours of showing the symptoms, which included headache, blurred vision, loss of sight and loss of consciousness.
He noted that some blood samples had been taken from the victims for testing.
The state had set up a situation room to coordinate with emergency response teams now working on the frontline.
