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By John Ogunsemore
The UK government has added Nigeria and seven other countries to its list of destinations where British travellers face risks from methanol poisoning in counterfeit or homemade alcoholic drinks, according to updated Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) guidance.
The expansion, announced on October 21 includes Ecuador, Japan, Kenya, Mexico, Nigeria, Peru, Russia, and Uganda, bringing the total number of countries with such warnings to over 20.
Similar warnings already existed for countries such as Thailand, Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Costa Rica, Fiji and Turkey, and follow a number of high-profile incidents including the death of six tourists in Laos last year.
Methanol, a toxic industrial chemical, is sometimes used by unscrupulous producers to adulterate spirits, mimicking the effects of ethanol but potentially causing blindness, organ failure, coma, or death even in small quantities.
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The travel advisory asked travellers to take note of the signs of methanol poisoning, including blurred vision and confusion, which can appear hours after consumption, making it difficult to link to the source.
The FCDO’s update advises UK citizens to exercise caution when consuming alcohol abroad, particularly in areas where counterfeit drinks are prevalent.
Travellers are advised to purchase alcohol only from licensed vendors, check for intact seals and labels, avoid homemade or suspiciously cheap drinks, and seek immediate medical attention if poisoning is suspected.
No specific new incidents were detailed in Nigeria or any of the seven other new countries added to the list.
