By Abiodun Alade

Follow @Biodunpen

The World Health Organisation (WHO) says pesticide poisoning is the probable cause of 18 mysterious deaths in Ondo state.

The deaths in a remote community of Irele in Irele local government area of Ondo State were attributed to the action of  six boys who broke into the shrine of Molokun, the deity of the people  and desecrated it by stealing artifacts and sacred objects.

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

Head of Public Relations/Social Media for the World Health Organization, Gregory Haertl 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. Herbicides, also commonly known as weedkillers, are pesticides used to kill unwanted plants. Selective herbicides kill specific targets, while leaving the desired crop relatively unharmed

The outbreak started in the town of Ode-Irele.

All of those affected started showing symptoms between 13 and 15 April.

The WHO spokesman, Gregory Haertl, tweeted: “Current hypothesis is cause of the event is herbicides” and “Tests done so far are negative for viral and bacterial infection.”

The tests were carried out at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, the WHO said.