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What is methanol poisoning? Two more deaths reported after suspected mass poisoning in Laos

Umito November 22, 2024

A British lawyer and an Australian teenager have become the fifth and sixth tourists to die following a suspected case of mass poisoning in Laos.

Other Britons hospitalized following the incident will also receive consular support, according to the FCDO.

Australian authorities also announced the death of Australian teenager Holly Bowles in a Thai hospital on Friday, November 22. Her friend Bianca Jones, also 19, died a day earlier at the same hospital. The two men were staying at a hostel in Vang Vieng when they fell seriously ill last week.

The Australian women’s families flew to Thailand to be at the teenage girls’ bedsides after they were transported to a Bangkok hospital.

“This is every parent’s nightmare and we want to make sure no other family has to endure the anguish we are going through,” Ms Jones’ parents told the Herald Sun.

“We hope that the authorities can shed light on what happened as quickly as possible,” they added.

Holly Bowles and Bianca Jones both died after drinking suspected shots in Laos

Facebook/Beaumaris Football Club

This tragic incident also follows the deaths of two Danish women, aged 19 and 20, and an American man, who also died in the tourist town of Vang Veng.

The deaths are still under investigation, although initial reports suggest methanol poisoning may have played a role.

In 2022, a 38-year-old British woman, Kirsty McKie, died in Bali, two days after consuming a drink containing methanol. She thought it was alcohol.

But what is methanol poisoning and what are the symptoms?

Methanol, also called methyl alcohol or wood alcohol, is a highly toxic, colorless and volatile liquid. It is the simplest alcohol of the chemical group, with the formula CH₃OH. Methanol is commonly used as:

A solvent in industrial processes.
A precursor for the production of formaldehyde and other chemicals.
An ingredient in antifreeze, paint thinners and fuel.

Like ethanol, it is an odorless and flammable form of alcohol. Even though it smells like ethanol – what we consume in alcoholic beverages – the two are not the same. Unlike ethanol, it is not safe for human consumption.

Professor David Ranson, professor of forensic medicine at Monash University, told Australia ABC News that methanol is a “very, very harmful compound”.

He added: “These compounds actually attack the organs of the body and kill the cells. »

He explained that when methanol enters the human body, our enzymes convert it into formaldehyde and formic acid, causing toxicity.

How can someone get methanol poisoning?

Typically, people suffer from methanol poisoning when the liquid is ingested in drinks.

It is often added illegally to alcoholic beverages, while other times it may be used in drinks instead of ethanol because it is cheaper.

Cases of methanol poisoning have been recorded in several tourist hotspots in Southeast Asia, including Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia and Bali.

What are the symptoms of methanol poisoning?

Vomiting, abdominal pain, and nausea are all common symptoms of methanol poisoning. Others include loss of coordination and a diminished sense of vision.

A person who has been exposed to methanol can enter a state of severe metabolic acidosis, which means too much acid has built up in the body. This can cause them to lose consciousness and even enter a coma.

Can methanol poisoning be fatal?

Yes, methanol poisoning can be fatal if not treated properly. THE The British government saysIf ingested, four to 10 milliliters of methanol can cause permanent damage (including permanent vision loss) to adults.

The minimum lethal dose is considered to be between 300 and 1000 mg/kg.

How to prevent methanol poisoning?

Smartraveller, The Australian government’s travel advisory service said tourists should be “mindful of potential risks, particularly with spirits-based drinks, including cocktails.”

He said travelers should avoid homemade drinks and only drink at reputable places.

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What is methanol poisoning? Two more deaths reported after suspected mass poisoning in Laos

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What is methanol poisoning? Two more deaths reported after suspected mass poisoning in Laos

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