High risk of methanol poisoning. There are as many as eight countries on the list

The British Foreign Office has issued new recommendations for tourists. The list of countries where you need to be particularly careful due to the risk of methanol poisoning has been updated. Cambodia, Indonesia, Turkey, Costa Rica, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos and Fiji were joined by places such as Ecuador, Kenya, Japan, Mexico, Nigeria, Peru, Uganda and Russia. “These warnings follow an increase in the number of serious illnesses and deaths caused by the consumption of alcoholic beverages contaminated with methanol in popular overseas tourist destinations,” says the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Deadly methanol in holiday resorts

The risk of methanol poisoning is a huge threat that many tourists on vacation are unaware of. Foreign guests are easily fooled by attractive promotions that convince them to buy alcohol in cheap bars. Last year in November, a huge tragedy occurred in Laos – six tourists died there as a result of consuming methanol in one of the party hostels.

However, travelers can encounter poisoned alcohol even in five-star facilities. In December, four tourists were hospitalized after drinking alcohol at a luxury resort on the island of Fiji.

Britain warns

Great Britain recently warned its citizens about the danger. From now on, the countries where you should also be especially careful when drinking spirits are Ecuador, Kenya, Japan, Mexico, Nigeria, Peru, Uganda and Russia. Previously, the list included other places where British poisonings had occurred in the past – Cambodia, Indonesia, Turkey, Costa Rica, Thailand, Vietnam, as well as Laos and Fiji.