"The UK Foreign Office has added a further 11 countries to its list warning of the risks of methanol poisoning from tainted alcoholic drinks. The updated travel guidance includes Bangladesh, India, Iran, Jordan, Libya, Malawi, Malaysia, Morocco, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, and Rwanda following "a global increase in the number of reported cases" of methanol poisoning. Last month, Ecuador, Japan, Kenya, Mexico, Nigeria, Peru, Russia and Uganda were added to the existing list."
"Travellers are being warned that even small amounts of methanol can cause blindness or death within 12 to 48 hours. Methanol is a toxic industrial alcohol used in antifreeze, windscreen washer fluid and paint thinner. It is not meant for human consumption. While it is naturally produced during the manufacture of alcoholic drinks, commercial firms reduce it to low, safe levels for human consumption through the distillation process. But in some countries, it is illegally mixed into alcoholic drinks to cut costs."
The Foreign Office added 11 countries to a travel-risk list because of a global rise in methanol poisoning cases linked to tainted alcoholic drinks. Recent additions follow earlier additions including Ecuador, Japan, Kenya, Mexico, Nigeria, Peru, Russia and Uganda after high-profile incidents such as the 2024 deaths of six tourists in Laos. Even small amounts of methanol can cause blindness or death within 12 to 48 hours. Methanol is a toxic industrial alcohol used in antifreeze and paint thinner and is sometimes illegally mixed into drinks because it is tasteless and odourless. Official advice urges drinking only from trusted sources and seeking immediate medical help for severe hangover-like symptoms or vision problems.
Read at www.bbc.com
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