Six travelers have died from suspected methanol poisoning after visiting the tourist town of Vang Vieng in Laos this month.
The travelers – two from Australia, two from Denmark, one from the United Kingdom and one from the United States – are believed to have consumed alcohol tainted with methanol, which is typically illegally added to regular or home-brewed alcohol to lower your expenses.
About fourteen people became unwell after one night in Vang Vieng around November twelfth. One of those travelers recently returned home to New Zealand, it is alleged local news reports.
Methanol is cheaper than ethanol, the alcohol typically present in beer, wine and spirits. According to the non-governmental organization Doctors Without Borders, it’s odorless and colorless, drinking 30 milliliters of methanol – lower than an ordinary syringe – might be fatal, while consuming just 10 milliliters – or two teaspoons – could cause blindness.
“Methanol poisoning is an under-recognized global public health problem,” says a fact sheet published by the organization.
Since 2019, 943 incidents were recorded which poisoned greater than 39,000 people and killed about 12,900 people.
A lack of know-how about methanol poisoning, each amongst the general public and the medical community where outbreaks often occur, is exacerbating the issue, in line with the organization.
Where incidents are highest
According to Doctors Without Borders, most methanol poisonings occur in Asia.
A Doctors Without Borders website, which monitors methanol poisoning says many foreign tourists have fallen victim to methanol poisoning after consuming improperly distilled “arak” in Bali, Lombok and the Gili Islands.
According to the web site, several people were poisoned by methanol in Indonesia in September after consuming alcohol ordered online. In July, five students were poisoned after mixing tainted alcohol with energy drinks, three of whom later died, it is alleged.
A Facebook page called “Just don't drink spirits in Bali“advises people to drink beer, cider, wine and duty-free alcohol purchased upon arrival in Bali, but avoid cocktails and shots.
“If someone behind the bar has to pour a drink from a bottle of mixed spirits, there is a risk of methanol poisoning,” said site creator Colin Ahaern.
“Be careful,” he said. “Bali is a beautiful place, but it has its own pitfalls.”
Countries where most individuals were poisoned
According to Doctors Without Borders, Iran leads the world within the number of individuals poisoned by methanol within the last five years.
In April 2020 – a month after Covid-19 was declared a pandemic – greater than 5,800 people in Iran were poisoned by methanol in a mass accident that killed about 800, in line with Doctors Without Borders. The organization says many mistakenly believed that drinking the alcohol would kill the Covid virus.
Médecins Sans Frontières warns travelers against consuming alcohol in informal settings and in places where there isn’t a license to sell alcohol. Additionally, travelers are advised to avoid free alcohol or alcohol from unmarked containers.
The organization added that many outbreaks and poisonings go undiagnosed because symptoms are just like those common with food poisoning and hangovers, corresponding to vomiting and drowsiness. However, it is alleged that methanol poisoning may also cause dizziness, rapid heartbeat, and blurred vision and blindness.
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