Young travelers abroad should be cautious of the unseen dangers lurking in cheap vacation drinks, as highlighted by the heartbreaking stories of two families who lost their daughters to methanol poisoning.
The families of Holly Morton-Bowles and Bianca Jones, both 19, have shared their tragic experiences after the young women died from consuming alcohol tainted with methanol during their trip to Laos, Southeast Asia. They are now urging others to reconsider sending their children to such destinations.
Samantha Morton and Shaun Bowles, Holly’s parents, expressed to the Herald Sun: “[Our] hope is that Australians remove this county from their bucket list, your life is worth nothing over there and we have seen this first-hand as well as other families that have been involved in this tragedy.”
In addition to Holly and Bianca, four other young individuals lost their lives in a mass poisoning incident after unknowingly drinking bootleg alcohol contaminated with methanol.
Identifying the initial signs of methanol poisoning can be challenging, but it is crucial to seek medical help immediately to avoid severe outcomes like blindness, kidney failure, or even death.
Dr. Ismail Cinel, a professor at Acibadem Hospitals, noted: “Methanol poisoning is extremely dangerous, especially as the beginning symptoms can quite easily be mistaken for a mild form of alcohol intoxication.”
Methanol, a clear toxic chemical often used in industrial applications, can be added to alcohol by unscrupulous producers to cut costs and increase profits.
The symptoms of methanol poisoning can easily be confused with a typical hangover or a minor stomach illness associated with travel.
However, being mindful of symptoms can help diagnose poisoning before it becomes severe.
Professor Cinel explained: “Over the course of the first few hours, those that have methanol poisoning may experience headaches, nauseousness, vomiting and dizziness, which can, of course, be symptoms of lots of different illnesses.
“Sometimes, these are paired with tummy pain, and just general weakness and lethargy.”
Unlike a normal hangover, which improves with time, methanol ingestion can lead to rapidly worsening symptoms that can become deadly.
This is due to the body’s metabolism of methanol, producing harmful byproducts that can cause organ damage, including kidney failure and blindness, and potentially lead to death.
“As the body metabolises the methanol, that’s where the real damage begins, so it’s best to get seen to as quickly as possible,” Professor Cinel stated.
“The toxic metabolites, formaldehyde and formic acid will attack the optic nerve and central nervous system. This can lead to blurred or double vision, confusion, severe rapid breathing and in some cases, a coma or complete loss of sight.”
Feeling fine after consuming a shot mixed with methanol doesn’t necessarily mean one has avoided serious harm.
If you start feeling severely ill up to 24 hours after consumption, it could be an indication of methanol exposure.
Professor Cinel elaborated: “One of the key warning signs is the delayed onset of symptoms. Most people feel fine for up to 24 hours since exposure to methanol before suddenly deteriorating and deteriorating fast.”
In such cases, it is crucial to seek immediate medical assistance abroad before the body further metabolizes the methanol.
Dr. Cinel further advised: “Anyone who suspects that they have consumed contaminated alcohol or has these symptoms after drinking should seek emergency medical attention as soon as they can. The earlier you get yourself seen by a hospital or specialist, the more chance you have of survival as this can be deadly.
“If you’re experiencing what you think is a hangover, but have any of those symptoms, it’s really best to not ignore it and get help as quickly as possible, as getting the help sooner rather than later will be absolutely life-saving.”