The State Commissioner for Health, Banji Awolowo-Ajaka, disclosed the figures on Friday during a press briefing in Akure, noting that 60 suspected cases had so far been documented.
According to the commissioner, three victims are currently receiving treatment in hospitals, while 27 others are being closely monitored by health officials.
He said about 95 per cent of those affected are males between the ages of 16 and 55, with cases reported in Orita Odigbo, Araromi-Obu, Newtown, Odole, Okele and Oniparaga communities.
Awolowo-Ajaka said victims presented symptoms including headaches, body pains, severe weakness, impaired vision, breathing difficulties and altered consciousness.
He added that some of the affected persons experienced a rapid deterioration in their condition and died within hours of developing symptoms.
The commissioner said the pattern of illness and the reported exposure history had raised concerns about possible poisoning from a toxic alcoholic substance, although laboratory tests had yet to establish the definitive cause of the deaths.
He disclosed that health authorities had collected 36 blood and urine samples from affected persons for laboratory analysis, while samples of the suspected alcoholic products had also been submitted for toxicological examination.
The investigation, he said, was
being carried out in collaboration with relevant regulatory and security agencies to determine the source and composition of the substance.
As part of measures to contain the situation, the state government has temporarily prohibited the production and sale of locally brewed alcoholic herbal drinks in the affected local government area.
The commissioner also confirmed that some persons suspected of selling the products had been arrested as investigations continued.
He urged residents to stay away from alcoholic beverages obtained from unlicensed or questionable sources and to seek urgent medical attention if they develop symptoms such as blurred vision, difficulty breathing, sudden weakness, confusion or loss of consciousness after consuming alcohol.
Awolowo-Ajaka advised anyone showing such symptoms to be taken immediately to the General Hospital in Ore or the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital, Ondo.
He assured residents that the state government, in partnership with national and international health agencies, was working to establish the exact cause of the deaths and prevent further fatalities.
