PUTRAJAYA – Thirty-three deaths due to methanol poisoning were recorded from September 9-30 this year out of 55 methanol poisoning cases reported, said Health Director-General Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.
Of the 33 deaths, 18 cases or 55% involved Malaysians while 15 deaths or 45% involved non-citizens from Myanmar, India and Nepal, he said.
The methanol poisoning cases were reported in seven states namely Selangor with 25 cases, Perak 13, Pahang five, Penang six, Kuala Lumpur four, and Johor and Negri Sembilan with one case each, he said in a statement today.
Of the 55 cases reported, 15 are still getting treatment while seven have been discharged from hospitals, he said.
Methanol poisoning occurs with the consumption of alcoholic drinks containing toxic amounts of methanol due to an improper distillation process, or if the alcoholic drinks were adulterated with methanol.
According to Dr Noor Hisham, methanol poisoning is usually linked to drinking illegally processed liquor as methanol is mixed with the drink as a replacement for ethanol, as methanol is relatively cheaper than ethanol.
He said the methanol poisoning symptoms are stomach ache, fainting, vomiting, headache, and blurred vision within five days after imbibing the toxic alcoholic drink.
Members of the public are advised to take individuals with methanol poisoning symptoms to the nearest clinic or hospital to obtain emergency treatment, he said. – Bernama, October 1, 2021
