Until 4 pm on Friday (3), 113 cases of methanol poisoning after alcohol ingestion had been registered across the country, the Ministry of Health said. The folder began to release a daily case report, based on the data sent by the states.
In all, there are 11 confirmed cases and 102 in investigation. In the state division, São Paulo leads with 101 records (11 confirmed and 90 in investigation).
There are also suspicious cases in the following states:
- 6 in Pernambuco;
- 2 in Bahia;
- 2 in the Federal District;
- 1 in Paraná;
- 1 in Mato Grosso do Sul.
Of the total reported cases, 12 resulted in death, of which one is confirmed in the state of São Paulo and 11 are being investigated.
The deaths investigated are divided by the following states:
- 8 in São Paulo;
- 1 in Pernambuco;
- 1 in Bahia;
- 1 in Mato Grosso do Sul.
Informed by the Strategic Information Centers and State Health Surveillance Response (CIEVS), methanol poisoning notifications were passed on to the national CIEVs, which consolidates the data.
Antidote
To reduce the impact of methanol poisoning on adulterated alcohol, the Ministry of Health in partnership with the Brazilian Company of Hospital Services (Ebserh) bought 4,300 ampoules of pharmaceutical ethanol, antidote for this type of intoxication. The folder is buying another 150 thousand ampoules (5,000 treatments), to ensure the inventory of the Unified Health System.
The Ministry of Health has also asked the National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) to make an international call of the 10 largest regulatory agencies in the following countries: Argentina, Mexico, European Community, the United States, Canada, Japan, the United Kingdom, China, Switzerland and Australia.
The folder also sent a letter to companies and institutions in India, the United States and Portugal where it calls for donation and purchase quote to another antidote, the hunger. Currently, few countries have the product in stock.
The Ministry also officialized the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) for the immediate donation of 100 hunger treatments and expressed intention to acquire 1,000 other drug through the PAHO Strategic Fund credit line, expanding national stock.
Guidance
On Wednesday (1st), the Ministry of Health advised that states and municipalities immediately notify all suspicions of methanol poisoning. The measure aims to strengthen epidemiological surveillance and ensure a rapid and effective response to suspicious cases.
On the same day, a situation room was installed to monitor the cases. Of an extraordinary character, this structure will remain active as long as there is sanitary risk and the need for monitoring and national response.
