All articles tagged with #alcohol poisoning
At least 19 people have died from suspected methanol poisoning after consuming tainted homemade alcohol in Russia's Leningrad region, highlighting ongoing issues with counterfeit spirits and alcohol-related deaths in the country and globally.
Ten expatriate workers in Kuwait died from suspected alcohol poisoning after consuming locally made alcohol, amid ongoing efforts to crack down on illegal liquor production, with several others hospitalized in critical condition.
A recent outbreak of methanol poisoning in Vang Vieng, Laos, has resulted in the deaths of six tourists, prompting international warnings about the dangers of tainted alcohol. Methanol, a toxic industrial alcohol, can be lethal in small amounts and is sometimes used in drinks due to its low cost. The U.S., U.K., and Australia have issued travel advisories, urging tourists to purchase alcohol only from licensed vendors and to be vigilant for signs of tampering. Methanol poisoning can mimic regular intoxication but leads to severe symptoms and requires immediate medical attention.
A study from the University of Georgia suggests that reducing homelessness by 25% could save thousands of lives lost to drug and alcohol poisoning, with almost 2,000 lives potentially saved from opioid overdoses alone. The researchers found a causal link between increased homelessness and higher overdose deaths, emphasizing the need to address housing insecurity to curb the growing fatalities. The pandemic-induced rise in homelessness is likely contributing to an increase in accidental drug and alcohol deaths, highlighting the urgency of tackling homelessness to combat the opioid epidemic. The study recommends a housing-first approach and pragmatic policies to invest in those in need of help.
At least 18 people have died and dozens more have fallen ill after drinking adulterated cider in western Russia's Ulyanovsk region. The cider contained lethal amounts of methanol, also known as methyl alcohol or wood alcohol, and is much more toxic than the ethanol found in regular alcoholic drinks. Authorities detained one person on suspicion of causing death through negligence and ordered the affected goods to be removed from sale. The consumption of homemade alcohol remains a problem in Russia despite tightened controls on the production and sale of alcohol after previous incidents of alcohol poisoning.