This October 14, the Ministry of Health (Sometimes) issued a epidemiological alert personnel of health establishments at the national level due to the frequent occurrence of cases of methanol poisoning in Metropolitan Lima and Callaoin order to identify the source of exposure and implement immediate control measures.
“As reported in the AE 21-2022Since August 28, cases of methanol poisoning have been reported. As of October 13, a total of 117 cases have been reported in nine hospitals in Metropolitan Lima and Callao, of which 46% are deceased. communicated.
“Of the total cases, 79% were confirmed by clinical diagnosis and 21% by laboratory. 89% correspond to the male sex. The ages of the cases range between 18 and 64 years, with a mean of 41 years; 62% are adults aged 30-59 years. 84% of cases have a history of chronic alcoholism, ”he specified.
Where were the cases of methanol poisoning detected?
The Sometimes He explained that, according to place of residence, the cases are distributed in 18 districts of Metropolitan Lima and Callao, and that 80.2% are concentrated in the jurisdiction of Diris Lima Norte.
The national health authority also reported that As of October 12, there are known cases of alcoholic intoxication in the Huánuco region, which are currently under investigation.
CDC-Minsa: what is the cause of methanol poisoning?
This type of intoxication is due to the consumption of adulterated alcoholic beverages in substitution for ethanol or due to deficiencies in the distillation process, which has given rise to massive intoxications.
within the neurological complications Associated with this intoxication are the following:
- Visual disturbances (blindness), cerebral basal ganglia ischemia or hemorrhage, parkinsonism, cerebral edema, early seizures and coma; additionally, there are other sequelae that, despite early hemodialysis treatment, persist over time, for example, movement disorders due to involvement of the basal ganglia.
What are the clinical manifestations and laboratory findings?
| *Clinical manifestations | laboratory findings |
|---|---|
| In the central nervous system: —Mild to moderate intoxication: headache, dizziness, lethargy, confusion —Severe intoxication: coma, convulsions. |
Metabolic acidosis (with high anion gap): approximately 12 to 30 hours after ingestion. |
| Vision: red eyes, poorly reactive pupils to light, blurred vision, altered visual field, blindness. | Elevated serum amylase. |
| Gastrointestinal tract: nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain. |
Differences between a suspected and a confirmed case of methanol poisoning
According to National Center for Epidemiology, Disease Prevention and Control (CDC-Minsa), the differences are as follows:
- Suspicious case: person with a clinical picture of alcohol intoxication.
- Confirmed case:
- By clinical criteria: person with clinical manifestations* consistent with methanol intoxication.
- By laboratory criteria: every suspected case with positive blood methanol dosage.