Foreign Office extends methanol poisoning warning to four countries

UK tourists have been warned about drinking alcohol in four countries after reports or methanol poisoning. Six tourists died in Laos after it's believed they drank poisonous alcohol.

The British Foreign Office issued an alert to travellers visiting the country last week, urging people drinking alcohol to urging those drinking spirits and cocktails in Laos to 'protect yourself' and not to drink booze if the label, smell or taste seem wrong.

The Foreign Office has now extended the warning to four countries in southeast Asia, namely Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. The four countries make up a popular backpacking route for Brits.

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The alert issued on November 27 reads: "There is a risk of methanol poisoning from home brewed alcohol or counterfeit replicas of well-known alcohol brands. Affected drinks may include local spirits, including rice wine, spirit-based mixed drinks such as cocktails [and] counterfeit brand-name spirits."

The Foreign Office urged holidaymakers visiting the at risk area to take four steps to protect themselves from methanol poisoning. "You should buy alcoholic drinks only from licensed liquor stores, bars, clubs, restaurants, and hotels," it said.

"Avoid home-made alcoholic drinks, check bottle seals are intact, check labels for poor print quality or incorrect spelling. If the label, smell or taste seems wrong, do not drink the alcohol. These are signs it is illegal and could contain methanol."

Anyone who believes they or someone they are travelling with shows signs of methanol poisoning should seek urgent medical attention. Symptoms can appear similar to alcohol poisoning and may include confusion, dizziness, drowsiness or fatigue, vomiting, changes in vision, including not being able to see, blurred vision or difficulty looking at bright lights, and abdominal or muscle pain.