The UK's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has issued a critical and potentially life-saving alert to British citizens planning holidays abroad. The warning focuses on the severe dangers of methanol poisoning, urging anyone who suspects they may be affected to seek urgent medical help immediately.
What is the FCDO's Stark Warning?
In a direct message posted on the social media platform X, formerly Twitter, on Monday, the FCDO delivered a blunt assessment of the risks. "It only takes a small amount of methanol to rapidly cause serious illness or death," the alert stated. It highlighted that tell-tale symptoms, including dizziness, vertigo, and amnesia, can emerge between 12 and 24 hours after consuming a contaminated drink.
The official FCDO travel advice pages provide further crucial context. While acknowledging that it is impossible to eliminate all risks when drinking overseas, the office advises that travellers can take definitive steps to minimise the danger. The core guidance is to consume only sealed or bottled beverages from reputable, licensed establishments and to avoid street-side vendors or homemade alcohol entirely.
How to Stay Safe and Recognise the Symptoms
Extra caution is recommended with pre-mixed, spirit-based drinks commonly served on holiday. This includes cocktails, shots, and beverages dispensed in shared containers like "buckets" or jugs, where the origin of the alcohol is less certain.
Being able to identify the signs of methanol poisoning is vital for a swift response. Initial symptoms often involve nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and confusion. Within 12 to 48 hours, more severe effects can develop, such as blurred vision, complete blindness, or difficulty breathing. The FCDO stresses that any traveller or companion showing these signs after drinking must receive immediate medical attention.
Which Destinations Are Affected?
The Foreign Office has published specific methanol poisoning advice for a long list of popular and far-flung destinations. The countries named include Brazil, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Laos, Libya, Malawi, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Nepal, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Russia, Rwanda, Thailand, Turkey, Uganda, and Vietnam.
This extensive list underscores the global nature of the threat. The FCDO consistently advises all UK nationals to check the latest country-specific travel guidance on its official website before embarking on any trip abroad, ensuring they have the most current safety information.
