Two men and five women, residents of Ribeira do Pombal, north of Bahia, consulted a doctor this Monday (29) for suspected methanol poisoning, according to information from the Bahia Civil Police.
The group reportedly experienced similar symptoms after consuming alcohol at an engagement party, such as vomiting, nausea, dizziness, feeling faint, shortness of breath and blurred vision.
Everyone was admitted to the Santa Tereza General Hospital, in Ribeira do Pombal, but two patients were later transferred to the Instituto Couto Maia, in Salvador.
According to the Bahia Health Department, three people in the group are in serious condition.
“The specific antidote for cases of methanol poisoning has been sent to the hospital and will be used if indicated,” informed the Ministry of Health, in a note.
Blood samples were also taken and sent to the laboratory of the Technical Department of the Salvador Police.
According to the civil police, the seized bottles will be analyzed at the Central Technical Laboratory of the Police, also in the capital of Bahia.
The investigation is being carried out by the Ribeira do Pombal territorial police station, which has opened an investigation into this matter. In addition to the seizure of bottles, statements have already been taken at the hospital.
As of December 5, the Ministry of Health recorded 73 confirmed cases and 22 deaths due to methanol poisoning throughout Brazil, in the states of São Paulo, Pernambuco, Paraná, Rio Grande do Sul, Bahia and Mato Grosso.
Methanol is a toxic chemical, found in products such as antifreeze and windshield cleaner, that looks and tastes similar to regular alcohol, making it almost impossible to identify when consuming it.
Ingesting methanol poses serious health risks and can cause blindness, coma and death. This is why health authorities warn against the consumption of distilled beverages of unknown origin.
If poisoning is suspected, seek medical attention immediately, as symptoms, such as severe abdominal pain, dizziness and mental confusion, require treatment within the first six hours to avoid complications.
At the beginning of October, faced with the increase in cases in the country, the Ministry of Health imported 2,500 ampoules of medopizole, a specific antidote previously unavailable in the country.
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