Eleven individuals have lost their lives and another ten are in critical condition following the consumption of homemade alcohol in Colombia.
The alarm was raised when law enforcement in Barranquilla responded to a man found unconscious on the streets earlier this week. Medical personnel arrived at the scene and confirmed the man’s death, who was identified as a 47-year-old, as reported by Colombia One.
Agustin Guerrero, a toxicologist leading the medical response, stated that one of the patients brought to the hospital did not respond to resuscitation attempts and passed away upon admission.
Guerrero mentioned that the patients, brought in critical condition by law enforcement, required advanced resuscitation measures and immediate transfer to intensive care. He highlighted the challenges of detecting methanol poisoning early, as it can manifest immediately or hours after ingestion.
In the region, homeless individuals are known to consume a cheap concoction called “cochoco,” containing ethyl alcohol, methanol, and other substances, sold in plastic bottles for a minimal price.
Colombia previously faced a health crisis in 2022 when 37 individuals in Bogotá succumbed to methanol poisoning.
Methanol poisoning results from the inadvertent ingestion of methanol, which can be present in alcoholic beverages. Upon ingestion, methanol converts to formic acid, leading to vision impairment, damage to the central nervous system, and potentially death.
The tasteless and odorless nature of methanol makes it challenging to detect. Early symptoms may include confusion, dizziness, fatigue, or vomiting, while severe manifestations typically appear within 12 to 48 hours, such as headaches, nausea, seizures, vision problems, and potential coma.
Awareness of methanol poisoning grew among the British public in November 2022 following the deaths of six individuals at a bar in Laos, including two Australian teenagers, a British lawyer, two Danish citizens, and an American.
The UK government’s Travel Aware initiative cautions that methanol poisoning is not uncommon in tourist areas and advises immediate action if suspected, urging individuals to seek emergency assistance or visit the nearest hospital promptly.