Six tourists have died from suspected methanol poisoning in Vang Vieng, Laos, after consuming alcohol allegedly tainted with methanol. The victims, hailing from Australia, Denmark, the UK, and the US, were among 14 people who fell ill around November 12. Methanol, a cheaper but toxic alcohol variant, is sometimes illicitly added to beverages to reduce costs. As little as 10 milliliters can cause blindness, while 30 milliliters may be fatal, warns Doctors Without Borders.
Methanol poisoning is a significant yet under-recognized global health issue, with over 39,000 poisonings and nearly 12,900 deaths reported since 2019. Asia is particularly affected, with many incidents involving foreign tourists in Indonesia consuming improperly distilled alcohol. During a major outbreak in Iran in April 2020, over 5,800 people were poisoned, resulting in 800 fatalities, partly due to misinformation that methanol could ward off COVID-19.
Doctors Without Borders advises against drinking alcohol from informal or unlicensed places, highlighting that symptoms of methanol poisoning—such as vertigo, a rapid heartbeat, and vision problems—are often mistaken for food poisoning or hangover effects. A webpage cautions travelers in Bali to avoid mixed spirits, urging them instead to choose safer options like beer, cider, and wine. The creator of the campaign, Colin Ahaern, emphasizes caution and awareness of potential risks in destinations like Bali.
Original Story https://www.cnbc.com/2024/11/25/where-does-methanol-poisoning-happen-most-incidents-are-in-asia.html
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