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By Lizzy Chirkpi
The United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has issued a fresh travel advisory adding Nigeria and seven other countries to its list of destinations where British nationals should be alert to the danger of methanol poisoning from contaminated alcoholic drinks.
The FCDO said the update expands its existing guidance to include Nigeria, Japan, Mexico, Ecuador, Kenya, Peru, Uganda, and Russia, following reports of methanol poisoning incidents in those nations.
These countries now join others such as Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, and Indonesia, which were already flagged for similar risks.
Methanol, an industrial alcohol used in antifreeze and paint thinners, is sometimes illegally mixed with spirit-based drinks and cocktails in certain countries to reduce production costs. The FCDO warned that even small amounts of methanol can cause blindness or death within 12 to 48 hours after consumption, noting that it is both tasteless and odourless, making it nearly impossible for drinkers to detect.
British travellers were advised to buy only sealed drinks from licensed bars and stores, avoid homemade or unlabelled alcohol, and exercise caution with pre-mixed cocktails, spirits, or drinks served in jugs or buckets.
The FCDO further cautioned that early symptoms of methanol poisoning, including nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and confusion, may appear similar to normal alcohol intoxication, but more severe signs such as blurred vision or blindness can develop within 12 to 48 hours. Anyone showing such symptoms should seek urgent medical help.
Minister for Consular and Crisis Affairs, Hamish Falconer, stressed the gravity of the issue, saying:
“Methanol poisoning can kill it can be difficult to detect when drinking and early symptoms mirror ordinary alcohol poisoning. By the time travellers realise the danger, it can be too late.”
He added: “That’s why we’re working hard to raise awareness of the warning signs and urging anyone who suspects methanol poisoning to seek immediate medical attention. I encourage all travellers to check our travel advice and Travel Aware pages before they go on holiday.”
Falconer praised families and campaigners whose experiences spurred the government’s latest advisory:
“No family should endure what the campaigners’ families have suffered. Their determination to prevent others from facing the same tragedy has been instrumental in driving forward these vital updates to our travel advice.”