At least four of the 18 people who were rushed to Arua Regional Referral Hospital after consuming City 5 Gin, a local potent gin are suffering eye inflammation that health workers warn can lead to total blindness.
Doctors say those with the severe effects consumed large amounts of the city 5 gin. James Ekanni, the senior Ophthalmic Clinical Officer in the Eye Department of Arua Regional Referral Hospital, says that those with severe conditions suffered damage to their optic nerve.
Eye inflammation alias ocular inflammation is a condition characterized by the swelling of one or more parts of the eye resulting from a variety of factors that range from simple irritation. Dr. Alex Andema, the Director of Arua Regional Referral Hospital, says that most survivors started experiencing visual complications on the first day of admission.
He says there is a high possibility City 5 Gin contained Methanol, which can causes blindness. According to Dr Andema, he is worried that some of the survivors could suffer permanent sight loss.
Vincent Dradriga, one of the survivors from Garia Village, Yachi Parish in Ogoko Sub County in Madi Okollo district, who is recovering from Arua hospital, says that he still can’t see objects that are far.
The death toll has increased to 17 after five more people succumbed in Arua city and Arua district after consuming City 5. At least four people, all employees of the company that produces the gin that has been suspended, are in police custody.
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