The UK Foreign Office has expanded its advisory list to include an additional eleven countries due to increased risks of methanol poisoning from contaminated alcoholic beverages, according to BBC.
The updated travel guidance now encompasses Bangladesh, India, Iran, Jordan, Libya, Malawi, Malaysia, Morocco, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, and Rwanda, following a global rise in reported cases of methanol poisoning.
This follows recent additions of Ecuador, Japan, Kenya, Mexico, Nigeria, Peru, Russia and Uganda to the existing list after several high-profile incidents, notably the death of six tourists in Laos in 2024.
Travellers are cautioned that ingestion of even minimal quantities of methanol may result in irreversible blindness or fatality within a period of 12 to 48 hours.
Methanol is an industrial solvent commonly found in products such as antifreeze, windscreen washer fluid and paint thinners. It is not intended for human consumption. Although trace amounts of methanol may occur naturally during alcoholic beverage production, reputable commercial manufacturers employ distillation processes to reduce levels to those considered safe for human consumption.
In contrast, illicit practices in certain regions involve the addition of methanol to alcoholic drinks to reduce production costs. Due to its tasteless and odourless properties, methanol contamination is undetectable without laboratory testing.
The Foreign Office of UK has initiated a public health campaign to educate travellers on risk reduction strategies and the clinical manifestations of methanol poisoning. Foreign Office minister Hamish Falconer advises all travellers to be familiar with the symptoms associated with methanol toxicity.
Recommendations include consuming alcoholic beverages only at trusted establishments and avoiding homemade alcohol or complimentary shots. Individuals experiencing atypical symptoms such as severe hangover or visual disturbances are urged to seek immediate medical attention.
The full list of countries identified as posing a significant risk for methanol poisoning includes Brazil, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Laos, Libya, Malawi, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Nepal, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Russia, Rwanda, Thailand, Turkey, Uganda and Vietnam.
