For most people, a vacation is about escaping their problems and responsibilities. While everyone does this in different ways, for most people, it includes some drinking. In many hotels, you are greeted with a fruity cocktail as soon as you walk in the door. However, it seems as if those alcoholic beverages are generating more pain than pleasure lately. Recently, the UK has expanded its travel warnings after several people suffered from poisonings due to tainted alcohol.
UK Expands Travel Warnings After Increased Poisonings From Tainted Alcohol
Getty Image: Olga Pankova
I remember when, a short while ago, the Dominican Republic was on the US travel advisory list for a similar issue. Multiple tourists were dying from alcohol-related poisoning. Now, it seems that the British government is dealing with the same thing. The NY Post shares that the UK expanded its travel warnings by adding "eight countries to its list." The UK government added these countries, "related to the risk of methanol poisoning from tainted alcohol."
The eight countries that were added to the travel warnings list are as follows:
- Ecudaor
- Japan
- Kenya
- Mexico
- Nigeria
- Peru
- Russia
- Uganda
The advisory was released on October 21 and warns people of the increased risk of "serious illness and death." Furthermore, the advisory explained that the illness and death are "caused by alcoholic drinks tainted with methanol in popular overseas travel destinations."
What Is Methanol?
For those who don't know, methanol is terrifying because it is a silent killer. It is flavorless, odorless, and colorless, making it nearly impossible to detect. Unfortunatley, most people do not detect it until their symptoms appear. This industrial chemical is found in antifreeze and windshield washer fluid. It is extremely dangerous to humans.
Symptoms of methanol poisoning can include the following:
- Breathing issues
- Blurred vision or blindness
- Low blood pressure
- Agitation or confusion
- Dizziness
- Seizure
- Abdominal pain
- Vomitting
- Fatigue
- Weakness
You may wonder, if it is so deadly and is only found in these cleaning solvents, how are people dying from it? It is true that most people are not going on vacation and downing a bottle of antifreeze. However, many places are now adding methanol to their alcoholic beverages to help cut costs. While they are saving financially, the cost is now a human life.
