Officials warn tourists about tainted cocktails at popular spots

The British government recently added eight countries to its high-risk travel warning list Methanol poisoning from contaminated alcohol.

The United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has warned that tourists to Ecuador, Japan, Kenya, Mexico, Nigeria, Peru, Russia and Uganda may be at risk of methanol poisoning from counterfeit or adulterated alcohol.

According to the FCDO’s Oct. 21 advisory, the new warnings are due to “an increase in the incidence of serious illness and death alcoholic beverages Contamination of Methanol in Popular Tourist Destinations Abroad.”

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“The expanded list is based on existing guidance for countries including Thailand, Laos and Vietnam,” the agency noted.

Fox News Digital previously reported that A US tourist dies After suspected alcohol poisoning this summer in Laos.

British authorities have stepped up travel warnings after a rise in methanol poisonings linked to fake alcohol abroad. (iStock)

Methanol, an industrial chemical commonly found in antifreeze and windshield washer fluid, is dangerous to humans, according to health agencies.

Chemicals are sometimes added to alcoholic beverages to cut costs—and because they’re tasteless, odorless, and colorless, poisoning is difficult to detect until symptoms appear.

“Most methanol poisoning occurs when tourists buy or accept alcohol from unverified sellers or bars using counterfeit spirits.”

Hamish Falconer, the British minister responsible for consular and crisis affairs, said in a statement that “it may be too late for travelers to realize the danger.”

“That’s why we’re working hard to raise awareness of the warning signs and urge those who suspect methanol poisoning to seek immediate medical attention. medical attention.”

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“I encourage all travelers to check us out Travel advice And Travel Aware pages before going on vacation,” he added.

Dr. Sampson Davis, an emergency room physician, told Fox News Digital that symptoms of methanol poisoning include blurred visionVomiting, confusion, nausea, loss of vision, headache and intoxication.

Methanol is odorless and tasteless, making it difficult to detect alcohol until symptoms appear. (iStock)

“Methanol binds to the same receptors as alcohol and gives you the same euphoric feeling,” said the New Jersey-based doctor.

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“However, it is toxic to the body and can cause death if consumed in moderation without treatment.”

In the event of poisoning, Davis said, victims should go to the hospital immediately and receive treatment with fomepizole, an antidote used to treat poisoning. toxic alcohol.

Officials warn that methanol, found in antifreeze and windshield fluid, can be fatal if ingested. (iStock)

“It has a very high mortality rate and overdose requires hospitalization and (intensive care) monitoring,” he said.

Spencer Corsen, a risk management expert in Austin, Texas and author of “The Safety Trap,” told Fox News Digital that the best Travel protection “A healthy sense of skepticism and a moderate dose of caution.”

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“When traveling abroad, trust your instincts and know the source,” the safety strategist said.

“Most methanol poisoning occurs when tourists buy or accept alcohol from unverified sellers or bars using counterfeit spirits.”

Methanol “can be fatal if ingested in moderate amounts without treatment,” the doctor said. (iStock)

Tourists can stay safe from poisoning by sticking to sealed bottles and reputable locations, Korsen advised.

“Cheap cocktails and unmarked bottles are a red flag,” he said. “Don’t finish a drink if it tastes harsh or chemical.”

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“And if you feel dizzy, nauseous, or have blurred vision, seek it out Medical care Be sure to mention exposure to methanol immediately and as a concern.”

Fox News Digital reached out to the Distilled-Spirits and Beverage Association and requested comment.