'Strange disease' Is killing in Nigeria a herbicide?

Herbicide poisoning seems to be the cause of the "strange disease" that caused at least 18 deaths in Nigeria over the weekend, the World Health Organization (WHO) said.

The cause of the mysterious disease that killed people within a few hours in Nigeria

'The current hypothesis is that the cause of the incident is herbicide,' said Gregory Hartl, a WHO spokesman on Twitter.

'Strange disease' caused 18 deaths in Ondo state, Nigeria may be due to herbicide poisoning.(Photo: BBC)

' Tests performed so far have been negative for bacterial and viral infections ,' Hartl said.

The first cases occurred last weekend in the town of Ode-Irele, southeastern Ondo state, Nigeria.The victims showed signs of headaches, weight loss, blurred vision and loss of consciousness and then died within a day.

Ondo state spokesperson Kayode Akinmade calls this a ' mysterious disease ' and fears an Ebola-like epidemic could break out in the South African country.

Health Commissioner of Ondo Dayo Adeyanju state said 23 people have been "infected" with this strange disease so far .

Mr. Akinmade said that health authorities, experts from the government as well as aid agencies and WHO epidemiologists have visited Ode-Irele to investigate deaths.

Tests were conducted at the Lagos University Hospital, according to WHO.