Brazil is investigating 209 suspected cases of methanol poisoning following the consumption of adulterated alcoholic beverages, the Ministry of Health reported on Sunday (Oct. 5).
Across the country, there are 16 confirmed cases – 14 in São Paulo and 2 in Paraná. The information is provided by the states and consolidated by the Center for Strategic Information and Response in National Health Surveillance (CIEVS).
São Paulo state accounts for most of the reports, with 14 confirmed cases and 178 under investigation.
In total, 13 of Brazil’s 27 states have reported cases. To date, the country has recorded 15 deaths, including two confirmed in the state of São Paulo. The remaining 13 deaths are under investigation. The information is based on records submitted by the states up to 4 p.m. on Sunday (5) and is subject to local updates.
Antidote
The Ministry of Health also reported that it has begun distributing pharmaceutical ethanol – an antidote used to treat methanol poisoning – to states that have formally requested additional stock. In this first shipment, 580 vials were sent to five states.
Emergency
Methanol poisoning is an extremely serious medical emergency. When ingested, the substance is metabolized in the body into toxic products (such as formaldehyde and formic acid), which can lead to death.
The main symptoms of poisoning are blurred or lost vision (which can lead to blindness) and general malaise, including nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and sweating.
Source: Agência Brasil
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