The government of the state of São Paulo confirmed on Wednesday night (4) that a 26-year-old man, from Mauá, metropolitan region of the capital, died from poisoning with an alcoholic drink contaminated with methanol. This is the 12th death from this same cause in the state.
According to the Health Department bulletin, the state records 52 confirmed cases of methanol poisoning.
Deaths in the state are distributed as follows:
- São Paulo: 4 men aged 26, 45, 48 and 54;
- São Bernardo do Campo: 1 woman aged 30 and 1 man aged 62;
- Osasco: 2 men aged 23 and 25 and a woman aged 27;
- Jundiaí: 1 37-year-old man;
- Sorocaba: 1 man aged 26; and
- Mauá: 1 26-year-old man.
The state government is still investigating four deaths, 1 in Guariba (victim aged 39), 1 in São José dos Campos (aged 31) and two in Cajamar, aged 29 and 38.
>> Click here and follow Agência Brasil’s coverage of methanol poisoning in the country.
Last year, in São Paulo, its metropolitan region and cities in other states, alcoholic beverages of clandestine origin or without reliable origin were sold. Many of these products contained methanol, a toxic substance that can cause death.
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Given the severity, the Ministry of Health created a situation room to monitor the problem. Several police operations were carried out to seize adulterated drinks and also to capture the criminals responsible for the adulteration.
Now, with this new death in São Paulo, the country already has 17 deaths caused by consumption of alcoholic beverages contaminated by methanol.
São Paulo is the state most affected by the problem.
