Expert shares 'highly toxic' alcohol warning after multiple tourists die
A travel expert has highlighted the risk of accidentally drinking cocktails containing a ‘highly toxic’ alcoholic fluid after multiple tourist deaths have been reported.
Last month, the UK Foreign Office announced holidaymakers visiting various countries across the globe should be more mindful of their drinking habits.
The warning came after several tourists ended up in serious condition after inadvertently drinking methanol, a clear, colourless liquid used industrially as a fuel, solvent, and antifreeze.
Despite methanol being extremely toxic to humans, causing blindness and even death if ingested, many vendors operating in tourist areas abroad illegally add it to their alcoholic drinks to cut costs.
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Travellers heading to Ecuador, Japan, Kenya, Mexico, Nigeria, Peru, Russia, and Uganda were recently warned about increased cases of methanol poisoning.
These eight nations joined Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Turkey, Costa Rica, and Fiji, all of which were already on the list.
Following prior warnings - including a statement from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) highlighting it ‘only takes a small amount of methanol to rapidly cause serious illness’ - Alicia Hempsted, travel insurance expert at MoneySuperMarket, wants travellers to stay vigilant when supping on gin, rum, and other alcoholic substances.
Speaking to The Mirror, she warned: "Methanol is a type of alcohol often used in antifreeze and windshield washer fluid and is highly toxic if consumed.
"Early symptoms can include vomiting and drowsiness but as poisoning worsens, it may lead to abdominal pain, vertigo, difficulty breathing, blurred vision and even blindness."
The expert continued: "If you experience any of the symptoms of methanol poisoning, or suspect you may have consumed it, you must seek immediate medical attention. Treatments can include an antidote or dialysis, depending on how advanced the poisoning is.”
Hempsted has also urged Brits abroad to drink from sealed bottles, rather than indulge in discounted shared cocktail buckets and never leave beverages unattended.
Moreover, the travel specialist has advised anyone jetting off on holiday to take out travel insurance.
"Unfortunately, even when you take every possible precaution, emergencies can still happen when you’re abroad,” she explained.
“Travel insurance can provide cover for emergency medical expenses and hospital treatments helping to protect you from financial and additional personal stress if the worst does happen.”
Hempsted’s travel insurance caution comes after it was revealed a Greek holidaymaker had to fork out more than £1,600 due to food poisoning earlier this year.
Elsewhere, a head injury in the British Virgin Islands recently cost someone £39,225 in medical fees and expenses, and a vacationer in Mexico accumulated £35,703 in charges due to a fractured lower leg, as reported by the Daily Mail.
Hamish Falconer, the minister responsible for Consular and Crisis, has urged anyone with travel plans to check out official advice and Travel Aware pages before embarking on their trip.
The warning came a year after six tourists in Laos - including two young Australian women - died from suspected menthol poisoning after consuming free vodka shots at a hostel.
"Methanol poisoning can kill - it can be difficult to detect when drinking and early symptoms mirror ordinary alcohol poisoning,” Falconer lamented. “By the time travellers realise the danger, it can be too late.
"No family should endure what the campaigners’ families have suffered. Their determination to prevent others facing the same tragedy has been instrumental in driving forward these vital updates to our travel advice.”
Ella Scott