Two foreigners die of suspected methanol poisoning in Perak

IPOH (Bernama): Two men, a Bangladeshi and a Myanmarese, died at the Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital (HRPB) here Wednesday (May 1) of suspected methanol poisoning.

Perak Health director Datuk Dr Ding Lay Ming (pic) said both victims, who were in a semi-conscious state, were admitted to the hospital's intensive care unit on April 28 after suffering from blurred vision, nausea, vomiting and stomach ache after consuming alcoholic drinks.

“They were reported to be in critical condition when admitted to the hospital and died early this morning,” she said in a statement Wednesday, adding that she had yet to receive the results from the clinical samples sent to the laboratory for tests to detect methanol.

She said investigations were still going on to identify the cause and that they would also step up surveillance of alcoholic drinks in the market.

“The public is advised to avoid consuming fake alcoholic drinks. If any individual suffers from symptoms like stomach ache, breathing difficulties, blurred vision, nausea, vomiting, severe headache as well as leg cramps after consuming alcoholic drinks, please seek immediate treatment at the nearest hospital,” she said.  - Bernama