Methanol poisoning results in 17 deaths in Ecuador
The Ecuadorean Ministry of Health now puts the death toll to the methanol poisoning outbreak to 17, according to a Yahoo Noticias report (computer translated).
“We have treated 72 cases of people intoxicated by the consumption of methyl alcohol, of which 31 are positive for methanol in blood, 32 are negative and 9 are under investigation,” according to a Ministry statement.
Health authorities appealed to all residents of Ecuador not to consume alcohol of dubious origin, without sanitary registration and that were prepared clandestinely, “because it implies a huge risk to life, it can even lead to death”.
Methanol is a highly toxic alcohol resembling ethanol in smell and taste. It is readily available in household and industrial products.
Methanol toxicity may be seen due to its unintentional or intentional abuse. It is associated with serious complications like metabolic acidosis, visual disturbances and neurological deficit.
In 2011, at least 48 people were killed in Ecuador by a brandy adulterated with methanol and about 200 were poisoned.