Kuwait Reports Outbreak of Methanol Poisoning: 21 People Lose Vision, 13 Die
Methanol poisoning connected to illegal alcohol has caused 21 cases of visual loss and 13 deaths in Kuwait in the last five days.
Within five days, 13 individuals died and 21 others suffered blindness or visual impairment due to a spike in methanol poisoning cases connected to tainted alcoholic beverages, according to Kuwait’s Ministry of Health.
63 people, all of Asian descent, were impacted between Saturday and Wednesday, the ministry acknowledged in a statement published on X late on Wednesday. 31 of them needed mechanical ventilation, and 51 needed immediate renal dialysis.
Alcohol manufacturing and importation are completely forbidden in Kuwait; yet, illegal alcohol is still made in uncontrolled, covert facilities. According to authorities, these underground businesses frequently evade safety precautions, putting consumers at serious risk of exposure to toxins.
According to the Indian Embassy in Kuwait, which represents the largest expatriate population in the nation, approximately 40 Indian nationals were among those admitted to hospitals in recent days. In addition to stating that “some have died, some are in critical condition, while others are recovering,” it said it is requesting more details from the local government.
Significant health problems, including as irreversible blindness, organ failure, and death, can result from methanol poisoning, which is frequently brought on by incorrectly distilled or tainted alcohol. Health experts are warning people not to drink any alcoholic beverages that are not regulated.
