### Fatal Methanol Poisoning Claims Lives of Travelers in Laos

In a devastating incident in Laos, three foreign nationals, including two Australian teenagers and a British woman, have passed away from suspected methanol poisoning after consuming contaminated alcohol. Additionally, an American man and two Danes also died under similar circumstances, though their causes of death have not been officially confirmed. A New Zealander has also fallen ill due to the suspected methanol poisoning.

The U.S. State Department has issued an urgent advisory for travelers to remain vigilant about the risk of methanol poisoning. Methanol, also known as wood alcohol, is sometimes illicitly added to drinks to boost their potency. This toxic substance is a byproduct of wood distillation and is commonly used as a fuel or in solvents and antifreeze.

Methanol poisoning can be extremely dangerous and even fatal. Just 25 to 90 milliliters of methanol can be lethal if treatment is not promptly administered, according to the Methanol Institute, an international trade organization for the methanol industry. Symptoms of methanol poisoning include headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, seizures, and in severe cases, coma.

"Toxic reactions to methanol vary widely among individuals due to differences in how our enzymes detoxify the alcohol," explained Alastair Hay, a toxicologist from Britain's University of Leeds. While some people may tolerate small amounts, others can suffer fatal consequences from the same exposure.

Methanol is sometimes mixed into alcoholic beverages by unscrupulous vendors looking to cut costs. This practice is not unique to Laos or Southeast Asia, but can happen globally where taxes or the price of legitimate alcohol are prohibitively high. Additionally, in less regulated home-distilleries often found in poorer countries, methanol can inadvertently contaminate the final product.

To avoid such life-threatening incidents, experts recommend purchasing alcohol only from licensed liquor stores and reputable bars and hotels. Consumers are urged to check bottle seals for tampering and labels for poor print quality or misspellings, which can be indicators of fake or adulterated products. The Methanol Institute also advises that commercially produced beverages like canned beer, cider, wine, pre-mixed drinks, and duty-free items are generally safer choices.

Travelers should also be cautious of homemade brews and extremely cheap or free drinks, which carry a higher risk of methanol contamination. By being aware and taking these precautions, the risk of methanol poisoning can be significantly reduced.