1 day Ago By Fiona Callingham
The Foreign Office has issued an urgent warning for travellers to look out for some key symptoms that could prove fatal. According to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), these concerning signs can take up to 48 hours to appear. In a post made to X , the FCDO highlighted the key symptoms of methanol poisoning.
It warned that it can be “tricky” to spot as it may seem like “regular” alcohol poisoning. The warning comes after six travellers, including one Brit, died from methanol poisoning in Laos in November last year. At least six others were also hospitalised as a result of drinking contaminated alcohol.
The FCDO said: “Spotting methanol poisoning can be tricky because at first, it can feel like regular alcohol poisoning. But there are key differences to watch for. “You might feel confused, dizzy, extremely tired, or even start throwing up.
If you’re feeling very drunk, out of proportion to how much you’ve had to drink, get help.” It further warned that “serious” symptoms begin to appear 12 to 48 hours after drinking. These can include headaches, nausea, seizures, or even slipping into a coma.
“Vision issues can also appear 12 to 48 hours after the first drink,” it continued. “Methanol poisoning can cause blurry vision, trouble looking at bright lights, and even blindness. Stay aware.
Stay safe.” Data from the Methanol Poisoning Initiative show there have been 58 incidents of methanol poisoning worldwide between November 2023 and November 2024, affecting more than 1,200 people and resulting in more than 400 deaths. Over the past five years, 11,800 people have been poisoned, and 4,500 have died.
Travel Aware , a Government advice site, explains that methanol poisoning occurs when you accidentally drink methanol. This is a toxic chemical that sometimes ends up in “dodgy booze”. Spotting methanol poisoning can be tricky because at first, it can feel like regular alcohol poisoning.
But there are key differences to watch for: It says: “Even a tiny amount can mess with your system, causing all sorts of nasty effects like vision problems, permanent damage to your central nervous system, or, in extreme cases, death.” It is particularly insidious as methanol is tasteless and only has a faint smell, so “you wouldn’t know it’s there until it’s too late”. The site continues: “It’s sometimes used in counterfeit or homemade alcohol to cut costs, which means it’s most likely to show up in shady local spirits or cheap cocktails.
If you suspect methanol poisoning, either for yourself or a mate, you need to act fast. Timing is critical.” Find out about the symptoms you need to watch out for and get health advice with our free health newsletter from the Daily Express It advised getting medical help straight away - call for emergency help or head to the nearest hospital.
Doctors will give you an antidote like ethanol or a drug called Fomepizole to stop methanol from turning toxic in your body. You might also get dialysis to flush out the methanol and fix the damage. Treatment is most effective within 10 to 30 hours of drinking methanol.
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