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Traditionalists Link Ondo Strange Disease To Shrine Desecration

Traditionalists in Ondo State Have linked a strange disease that has claimed several lives in the state to the desecration of a shrine. The outbreak … Continue reading Traditionalists Link Ondo Strange Disease To Shrine Desecration


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A file photo of a stethoscope.

Ondo State diseaseTraditionalists in Ondo State Have linked a strange disease that has claimed several lives in the state to the desecration of a shrine.

The outbreak of the disease in the ancient town of Ode-Irele which is the headquarters of Irele Local Government Area of Ondo State has thrown residents into deep mourning.

It broke out in the town few days ago and it has claimed the lives of about 20 people.

In the ancient town, young women and girls were seen on Saturday fetching water and dipping a particular leaf in it and also pouring water in a shrine in the town.

According to the traditional beliefs of the people the ailment might have emerged after some miscreants broke into the shrine few days back. The water and leaf are aimed at appeasing the gods.

Traditional priests in the town, Isaac Akingboye and Akinmola Adegbenro, believe that a traditional god called Malokun had some days ago entered the town, which led to the strange ailment and deaths.

More Devastating Than Ebola

Addressing reporters on the strange disease on Saturday, the Ondo State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Dayo adeyanju, said that the state government had, after it got news of the ailment, deployed a team of health experts to the community to examine the victims and put the spread under control.

He said “the ailment starts with headache, blindness and eventually leads to death within few hours it attacks its victims”.

The Primary Health Coordinator of the Local Government, Dr. Segun Ayodele and the Caretaker Chairman of the local Government, Dele Olatunji also gave further insight on the ailment that had not been identified by medical experts.

The people of Ode-Irele are hopeful that a quick and lasting solution would be given to the strange and deadly disease which they say is more devastating than Ebola.

While the Doctors are carrying out research to find out the cause of the disease, the traditionalists are appeasing the gods for solutions they believe could come from there.