Rio Grande do Sul records first case of methanol poisoning

O confirmed this Wednesday (8) the first case of poisoning by after consumption of alcoholic beverages. The 42-year-old man, resident ofconsumed vodka caipirinhas in on September 26th. According to the Department of Health, between 12 and 24 hours after consuming the distillates, the patient developed fever, abdominal and headache pain, blurred vision and changes in color perception. On September 30, the man returned to Rio Grande do Sul and was treated in the emergency room at Hospital São Lucas da PUC, where he received treatment and was released. He remains accompanied by the capital’s health surveillance team.

The poisoning was confirmed after laboratory analysis of a blood sample, carried out by a private laboratory that provides services to the hospital. The result was released in the early hours of Wednesday. The State Health Surveillance Center is investigating three other suspected cases of poisoning in residents of Porto Alegre, Novo Hamburgo and Nova Santa Rita. Two other cases in residents of Santa Maria and the capital have already been ruled out. To date, Brazil has recorded at least 19 confirmed cases of methanol poisoning and another 200 remain under investigation. Three deaths were confirmed in São Paulo and another seven are still under investigation.

Methanol poisoning

The adulterated drink is ingested and metabolized by the liver, resulting in a toxic substance that accumulates in the body.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms begin to appear 12 to 14 hours after ingestion. They are:

-headache,
-nausea,
-vomiting,
-abdominal pain.

What to do in case of suspicion?

Seek medical attention immediately, take a sample of the drink you drank and warn others who may have ingested the substance. Medical treatment may include the use of intravenous ethanol (antidote) and hemodialysis in severe cases.

*With information from Jader Trindade and Agência Brasil

*Report produced with the help of AI