What is methanol poisoning, what are the symptoms and how can it be treated?
A young Aussie is among five who have died from methanol poisoning while holidaying in Laos this week.
Melbourne woman Bianca Jones, 19, passed away in a Thailand Hospital on Thursday after becoming fatally ill when she consumed drinks spiked with methanol.
Her friend, Holly Bowles, is fighting for her life after also falling sick from drinks she consumed on their backpacking trip.
In the wake of the mass fatalities, SmartTraveller has updated its website to warn travellers about the importance of being “alert to the potential risks, particularly with spirit-based drinks including cocktails”.
WHAT IS METHANOL?
Methanol is a pure form of used as in different household and industrial agents.
It has a different chemical structure to ethanol — the usual alcohol used in drinks — which makes it toxic to humans.
Methanol is a colourless, odourless liquid that can be hard to detect in drinks due to it tasting and looking the same as ethanol.
Alcohol is less regulated in other parts of the world which can lead businesses in many popular tourist destinations including Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia, Costa Rica and Turkey to use methanol in drinks due to its low production costs .
However, ass little as one shot can be fatal.
HOW IS METHANOL POISONOUS?
Human bodies can not metabolise methanol in a safe way.
When methanol is broken down, it turns into formic acid which can poison the mitochondria of the cells.
This can cause severe damage to major body organs and metabolic acidosis — a condition that occurs when too much acid builds up in the body.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF METHANOL POISONING?
Symptoms of methanol poisoning may not show for 12 to 24 hours and can present in many different ways.
Eyes:
Full or partial blindnessBlurred visionDilation of pupilsChanges in colour perceptionDifficulty looking at bright lights
Breathing:
Stomach:
Abdominal painNauseaVomiting
Neurological:
SeizuresHeadacheDrowsinessDizzinessConfusionfatigueComaHOW CAN METHANOL POISONING BE TREATED?
It is important to act quickly if someone suspects they have consumed methanol.
The affected individual should be urgently taken to hospital where they will undergo treatments to remove methanol from the body.
This is sometimes done by giving the person ethanol which can prevent methanol from being metabolised.
For more information on what to do if you become sick overseas click here.
WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR WHEN TRAVELLING
SmartTraveller urges people to consider the below to protect themselves from methanol poisoning:
Consider the risks when drinking alcoholic beveragesBe careful drinking cocktails and drinks made with spiritsDrink only at reputable licensed premisesAvoid home-made alcoholic drinksRemember drink labels are not always accurate
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