Following news of multiple tourists passing away from methanol poisoning in Laos, people are looking into the effects of methanol poisoning on the body and the symptoms associated with it.

Methanol Poisoning in Laos

November 25, 2024– Following news (outlined on CNN) that Bianca Jones, 19, was among six foreign tourists believed to have died from a suspected mass methanol poisoning in Vang Vieng, people are looking into the effects of methanol poisoning on the body.

Six tourists die in Laos from suspected Methanol Poisoning

Jones was one of several tourists who fell ill after allegedly drinking tainted alcohol while on vacation. Now, others are warning about the potentially deadly effects of consuming contaminated alcohol. Jones’s friend who she was traveling with, Holly Bowles, passed away the next day from methanol poisoning as well.

Is Methanol an alcohol?

As outlined in this article by NPR, Methanol is a toxic type of alcohol. It is also primarily used for industrial purposes (i.e. paint thinners and antifreeze). However, when ingested, Methanol can be highly poisonous.

As the article explains, The Methanol Institute states that as little as 25 milliliters—less than a standard shot—can be fatal without prompt medical treatment. Methanol poisoning can also lead to blindness.

The article goes on to detail that The World Health Organization reports that some individuals use methanol to produce spirits or mixed drinks due to its low cost. This is reportedly compared to taxed alcohol. In specific cases, consumers have been deceived into thinking they were purchasing legitimate drinks at a discounted price.

As this TikTok video published by Daily Mail Australia (@dailymailau) explains, the girls had reportedly collapsed at a hostel after accepting free spirit shots just two nights before.

@dailymailau

‘Confusion to comatose’ #laos #tourist #travel #traveltiktok #tragic #poison #dailymail #fyp #australia #melbourne

♬ original sound – Daily Mail Australia

The TikTok video explains that one of the first doctors who treated Bowles reported that she went from a state of confusion to a coma within just half an hour. Following a. seizure and coma, Bowles was taken to a hospital in Vientiane and then transferred to Thailand for additional treatment.

However, there are conflicting reports online that claim the alcohol came from a nearby bar and not the hostel. Apparently, they fell ill and were taken to a hospital 48 hours after failing to check out of the hostel, as one commenter from the above video alleged. However, this remains unclear.

There are now allegations that supposedly the owner of the hostel in question involving the incident with Bowles and Jones has been detained. However, this is unconfirmed as alleged detainment details remain unknown at the moment.

Methanol Poisoning Eye Symptoms

According to this Wikipedia page, Methanol poisoning can sometimes present itself as symptoms that include altered or reduced consciousness, including lack of coordination, vomiting, abdominal pain, and a distinctive odor on the breath.

Allegedly, vision impairment can also begin within twelve hours of exposure/consumption. Long-term effects of Methanol toxicity can seemingly include blindness and kidney failure.

TikToker @lucygdavidson went viral on the platform recently when she discussed her experience with “severe” Methanol poisoning in Laos when she was staying at a hostel.

@lucygdavison

METHANOL POSIONING in Laos⚠️⚠️ Failed at making it concise and short so apologies if i waffled – if travelling south east asia, please be careful at what alcohol you are consuming! – last monday i was one of the british nationals who suffered methanol posioning in vang vieng in Laos. The hostel i drank the methanol from was the same hostel that has been named in the press. – my symptoms started 15 hours after consumption and were severe nausea, lucid, vision impairment, vomitting and high fever. I was put into ICU for 24 hours and spent the next 4 days recovering in the hospital. – There has been links to another bar however i can 100% say i got my methanol poisoning from the said hostel ⚠️⚠️ If you have similar symptoms, please get yourself checked at a hospital , my reccomendend hospital below, – ???? KASEMRAD international hospital, 450 years RD, donnokkoum village, Sisattanak district, Vientiane, PDR 0103 #laos #hospital #methanolpoisoning #traveltiktok #southeastasia #alcohol

♬ original sound – Lucy_Davison

The TikToker explains that it is normal in places like this to be offered free drinks during a “happy hour” and this hostel she was staying at was offering a free bottle of Vodka or Whiskey. She was sharing the “locally sourced bottle of Laos Vodka” with a table of people.

She claims it wasn’t until 15 hours later that her symptoms started to kick in. She alleged she was “violently” throwing up and felt extremely tired.  She also had visual impairment, having recalled seeing “bright rights.” Her boyfriend took her to a private hospital and she alleged the people there “saved her life.” She claimed her boyfriend had the same amount of vodka as her but he did not fall ill with Methanol poisoning. She claims that Methanol Poisoning symptoms don’t start until 15-18 hours later.

Methanol Poisoning Treatment

As further outlined in this Wikipedia page, early intervention is important and can help improve a positive outcome.

Treatment reportedly involves stabilizing the individual, followed by the administration of an antidote. The preferred antidote is fomepizole, though ethanol can be used if fomepizole is unavailable. For patients with organ damage or severe acidosis, hemodialysis may be necessary. Additional treatments may include sodium bicarbonate, folate, and thiamine.

Methanol Poisoning Reddit

Reddit threads have since popped up about Methanol poisoning following news articles going viral. In this thread, a Reddit user asks the discussion page about how this happens and how to avoid this when traveling.

“If something like this makes the news, that means it is rare, otherwise it would not be [newsworthy]. For context, there are 1700 cases of methanol poisoning in the US per year. [How] do you avoid it? Don’t drink somebody’s homemade alcohol. Only drink from normal alcohol brands. Never drink any drinks of unknown origin. Ideally, ask for the drink to be in a bottle unopened and open it yourself. Same precautions as anywhere else,” said one user.

Methanol Institute recommends the following tips to avoid Methanol poisoning:

Alcoholic beverages like canned beer, cider, wine, pre-mix, or duty free tend to safer and less easy to adulterate. Purchase alcoholic beverages from trusted retailers, and avoid consuming mixed cocktails, homemade brews, and/or drinks priced far below those of normal/legitimate alcoholic beverages.

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Published by HOLR Magazine

Image Credit: @lucygdavidson, @dailymailau TikTok