The Foreign Office has changed its advice for a number of destinations
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has changed its travel advice for some 11 countries across the globe. On Tuesday, November 18, the FCDO amended travel advice for India, Malaysia, Morocco, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, Jordan, Bangladesh, Iran, Libya, Rwanda, and Malawi.
Millions of trips are made by people from the UK to these countries each year. And anyone planning to visit any of these nations is now being warned: “There has been an increase in cases of serious illness caused by alcoholic drinks containing methanol in popular travel destinations around the world.
“Even small amounts of methanol can kill. It is not possible to identify methanol in alcoholic drinks by taste or smell.”
Further advice on the Government’s Travel Aware website reads: “Methanol is toxic even in small amounts. It is an industrial alcohol made from distilling wood and can be found in many commercial products, like antifreeze, fuel and paint thinners.
“In some parts of the world methanol products are sometimes illegally mixed with ‘real’ alcohol such as spirit-based drinks and cocktails.”
Spotting methanol poisoning can be difficult as initial symptoms resemble those of alcohol consumption. However, early warning signs include vomiting, impaired judgement, loss of balance and drowsiness.
Between 12 and 48 hours after consuming alcohol, you may experience symptoms including stomach pain, dizziness, rapid breathing, shortness of breath, blurred vision or even blindness, falling into a coma, or suffering seizures. If you or anyone in your group begins displaying any of these signs, it’s essential to seek immediate medical attention.
According to Government guidance, vision problems are a significant warning sign and can also appear 12-48 hours after your initial drink. Methanol poisoning can cause blurry vision, sensitivity to bright lights, and in severe cases, complete loss of sight.
If you begin experiencing “snowfield vision” (similar to the snowy static on an old television) or tunnel vision, it’s critical to obtain urgent medical help. Other nations where the FCDO has issued warnings about methanol poisoning include Ecuador, Kenya, Japan, Mexico, Nigeria, Peru, Uganda, Russia, Cambodia, Indonesia, Turkey, Costa Rica, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos and Fiji.
