A death in Feira de Santana, Bahia, may have been caused by methanol poisoning, according to municipal and state health officials. The 56-year-old man would have died in the early hours of Friday (3), after being admitted to the Queimadinha UPA, located in that municipality.
In a statement, the Bahian government reported that the case will be accompanied by local and state surveillance teams, in monitoring and investigation actions that will be supported by state public security authorities.
“Biological samples will be collected and referred for laboratory analysis, with a result provided for within seven days, in order to confirm or discard the hypothesis of intoxication,” said the government of Bahia – which is in “permanent dialogue with the Ministry of Health and with national health authorities” to monitor the situation in other states.
Suspected cases
Until the afternoon of Thursday (2), the Brazil had registered 48 suspected cases of methanol poisoning. Another 11 cases had already been confirmed by laboratory detection by the Center for Strategic Information and Health Surveillance Response (CIEVS), according to the federal government -installed situation room.
Health Minister Alexandre Padilha even confirmed 12th case in Brasilia, but the ministry then retreated and reported that the case of rapper Hungary is still accounted for as a suspect.
Only one death resulting from this type of intoxication was confirmed by the Ministry of Health in the State of São Paulo. Seven more deaths are still in investigation, two in Pernambuco and the other five also in São Paulo.
Medical emergency
Methanol poisoning is an extremely severity medical emergency. The substance, when ingested, is metabolized in the body in toxic products (such as formaldehyde and formic acid), which can lead to death.
The main symptoms of intoxication are: cloudy vision or vision loss (may reach blindness) and widespread malaise (nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, sweating).
In case of identification of symptoms, immediately seek emergency medical services and contact at least one of the following institutions:
Anvisa Dial-Intoxication: 0800 722 6001;
Of your city for specialized guidance (See list here);
São Paulo Poison Control Center (CCI): (11) 5012-5311 or 0800-771-3733-from anywhere in the country;
It is important to identify and guide possible contacts that have consumed the same drink, recommending that you immediately seek a health service for proper assessment and treatment. The delay in care and identification of intoxication increases the likelihood of the most severe outcome with the patient’s death.
