Travellers warned of methanol poisoning risks in new campaign

Travellers warned of methanol poisoning risks in new campaign Calum MacDonald, who is in his 20s and from Surrey, visited a barroom in Laos and experienced "a blinding kaleidoscopic light" that permanently impaired his vision less than two days after consuming a drink. Health officials confirmed the cause was methanol poisoning and have launched a public‑awareness initiative to highlight the danger. With thousands of holidaymakers preparing for summer travel, the government’s Know the Signs campaign is urging travellers to recognise the risks and take precautionary steps while abroad. MacDonald told BBC Breakfast he was unaware of the hazard during his 2024 trip and said, "I astir apt would beryllium successful a antithetic concern today". Methanol is a highly toxic form of alcohol that may appear in counterfeit, illegally produced or contaminated beverages. As little as 30ml – roughly a single shot – can be fatal for an adult, and even smaller quantities can cause serious, irreversible harm, including blindness. Twenty‑nine destinations now carry methanol‑poisoning warnings in UK travel advice, notably Indonesia, Laos and Vietnam. Margaret McKie’s 38‑year‑old daughter Kirsty was among those who died after ingesting methanol. Kirsty, originally from Stockport, lived in Bali and was engaged to a man who operated a wine business and restaurant, which led her to purchase alcohol only from reputable suppliers. McKie recalled to BBC Breakfast, "When Kirsty became sick it didn't hap to her for a 2nd that [methanol poisoning] was what could beryllium wrong," She added, "She was reasonably tired, she'd been moving hard, she'd had a mates of drinks, she conscionable thought she had a hangover, she didn't question assistance and erstwhile she mislaid consciousness her fiance got her to the infirmary and by that constituent it was excessively precocious to prevention her."