A total of 225 confirmed cases of methanol poisoning have been reported in Brazil, with three people confirmed to have died as a result of the contamination
A covert booze factory linked to a deadly methanol poisoning outbreak in Brazil has been unearthed by police.
The country has seen a staggering 225 confirmed cases of methanol poisoning, primarily in São Paulo, resulting in three deaths due to the toxic contamination. Today, the Civil Police revealed a hidden alcohol production site in São Bernardo do Campo, allegedly using contaminated ethanol sourced from petrol stations to concoct the lethal beverages that claimed two lives.
Authorities disclosed that two victims had consumed vodka bought from the same pub. Public Security Secretary Guilherme Derrite, during a press briefing, stated that the ethanol used in these knock-off drinks contained an alarming mix of over 40% methanol and ethanol, which in some instances, could be traced back to the same petrol station or chain.
As reported by Brazilian news outlet G1, police explained that the dangerous blend of ethanol and methanol—a substance highly toxic to humans and prohibited for consumption—was intended to bulk up the original drinks, thereby boosting profits. Following the exposure of the illicit operation and execution of search warrants, the facility was dismantled and materials were confiscated for forensic examination.
The factory owner is set to be nicked and charged with forgery, corruption, or adulteration of food substances or products, according to reports. If convicted, they could be looking at a stretch of four to eight years behind bars and a hefty fine, reports the Mirror.
Tragically, three individuals have already lost their lives after consuming the toxic tipple in the South American nation. Bruna Araújo de Souza, 30, tragically passed away after knocking back a vodka-based beverage at a pub last week.
The fatalities of Marcos Antônio Jorge Júnior, 46, and Ricardo Lopes Mira, 54, were reported earlier in late September. All three victims hailed from the state of São Paulo.
The health ministry has confirmed a staggering 225 cases of methanol poisoning across the country, with the majority clustered in the same region where the three fatalities occurred. A dozen businesses have been shuttered and police have confiscated around 10,000 bottles of booze.
The police have identified the contaminated drinks as primarily gin, vodka, and whiskey. Brazil’s health minister Alexandre Padilha has described the situation as “abnormal and unlike anything else in our history regarding methanol poisoning in the country.”
He cautioned: “I advise everyone to avoid distilled products, especially colourless ones, unless you’re certain of their origin. These are not essential items.”
The World Health Organisation has urged member countries to “enhance toxicological and epidemiological surveillance, guarantee prompt clinical management of cases, strengthen prevention and risk communication efforts directed at the public, and work in coordination with relevant authorities to investigate and control the circulation of contaminated beverages.”
Methanol poisoning, as defined by the NIH, is the ingestion of methanol, a type of toxic alcohol found in products such as paint thinner and antifreeze. Given its clear, tasteless and virtually odourless nature, it’s nearly impossible to detect whether a drink has been contaminated with methanol.
However, even a small quantity of methanol can result in serious illness or death. The NHS warns that “Methanol poisoning can cause visual disturbance, and as little as 4mL methanol has been reported to cause blindness.”
Other symptoms listed include “dizziness, drowsiness, vomiting, severe abdominal pain and diarrhoea.” Depending on the amount consumed and the time before treatment, methanol poisoning can also lead to coma, damage to the nervous system and death.
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