In Lima another nine people have lost their lives due to the deadly mixture of methanol with another drink. Health authorities carry out operations to eradicate the illicit sale of this liquor not suitable for human consumption.
Huánuco is on high alert for the 21 fatalities who have stopped drinking adulterated alcohol in just one week. The regional director of Health, Vilma Llanto, stated that of the reported cases, 19 were men and two women, between 19 and 60 years old.
”There are 21 cases reported in both sexes: 19 in males and two females at different stages of life; but most of the cases are adults over 60 years of age,” explained Llanto, noting that the deaths were recorded in the city of Huánuco (19 cases), one in the district of Amarilis and another in the province of Ambo. He detailed that 18 of the deceased were between 30 and 59 years old, two were over 60 years old; and one between 18 and 29 years old
The regional director also argued that all the victims underwent tests in order to find the causes of their deathsFor this reason, the samples have been sent to Lima together with those of intervened alcohol to determine their composition and if methanol was the substance that caused their death.
Faced with this delicate situation, the Huanuco Regional Government and the Regional Health Directorate issued an epidemiological alert with the aim of “alerting the personnel of health establishments in the region to the probable occurrence of methanol poisoning in the districts of Amarilis and Huánuco and the risk of expansion in other districts” .
The document indicates that since September 28 the National Center for Epidemiology, Prevention and Control of Diseases of the Minsa is aware of the increase in cases of methanol poisoning that have been treated since August 29 at the Sergio Bernales hospital in Lima.
“During the preliminary epidemiological investigation, 25 cases with a clinical picture compatible with methanol intoxication have been identified, of which 4 have been confirmed by the laboratory,” they maintain.
They allege that of the total number of cases, 16 came from Comas, 7 from Carabayllo and 1 from Rímac. “Until October 12, the official report is 44 deaths nationwide.”
What is methanol?
The methanol or methyl alcohol It is a product that is used in industrial applications, and is not for human consumption, since there is a risk of death between 12-36 hours after ingestion.
1/3 (100c) of a glass of methyl alcohol in the body produces blurred distortion, blindness, dizziness, severe headache, respiratory distress and even death.
The methyl alcohol It is absorbed orally, through the skin, mucous membranes and through the lungs. It spreads rapidly and affects all organs, especially the brain, kidneys, and eyes.
The methanol or methyl alcohol It is a product that is used in industrial applications, and is not for human consumption, since there is a risk of death between 12-36 hours after ingestion.
1/3 (100c) of a glass of methyl alcohol in the body produces blurred distortion, blindness, dizziness, severe headache, respiratory distress and even death.
Minsa on methanol poisoning
The methyl alcohol It is absorbed orally, through the skin, mucous membranes and through the lungs. It spreads rapidly and affects all organs, especially the brain, kidneys, and eyes.
In Costa Rica
Three years ago, in Costa Rica, 19 people for alcohol intake poisoned with methanol, So the government issued a national alert so that the inhabitants are aware of what they consume and avoid a greater number of deaths.
The cases of death occurred in the cities of San Jose, Cartago, Limon, Guanacaste and Heredia in the last two months of the year. The towns are not close; Limón and Guanacaste, the furthest extremes, are more than 300 kilometers away, which indicates that bottles with contaminated drink you are scattered throughout the Costa Rican territory.
