Methanol in alcohol has prompted the UK’s Foreign Office to warn Nigeria, Kenya, and other countries.
This alert follows high-profile incidents, including six tourists dying tragically in Laos last year.
How Methanol Harms
Methanol, an industrial chemical in antifreeze and windscreen fluid, becomes deadly when people swallow it.
Once people ingest it, their bodies convert methanol into toxins that can blind, paralyse, or kill.
Furthermore, symptoms often appear hours later, which makes detecting poisoning difficult at first.
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According to MSF, these drinks kill thousands every year, with fatality rates reaching 20 to 40%.
Therefore, travellers should always buy sealed drinks from licensed outlets and avoid homemade or pre-mixed alcohol.
Early warning signs include nausea, dizziness, confusion, and vision problems; people must seek urgent medical help immediately.
Finally, authorities urge everyone to remain vigilant and adopt safer drinking practices to prevent more methanol tragedies.
