What is methanol, what are the symptoms of methanol poisoning and how can tourists avoid it after Laos deaths?

Five people including a British backpacker have died in a suspected methanol poisoning case after allegedly being served free drinks in Laos, and at least one more traveller is fighting for her life.

Simone White, 28, a solicitor from Orpington in Kent, reportedly fell ill last week after she was thought to have accepted the drinks in the Vang Vieng area.

Two Danes, an Australian and an American also died after being taken to hospital with similar poisoning symptoms.

A New Zealander is also among those unwell and being treated, and the country’s foreign ministry said there had been “several cases of suspected methanol poisoning after consuming alcoholic drinks”.

Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese said Bianca Jones, 19, had died after being taken to hospital in Thailand. A friend of the teenager, Holly Bowles, was “fighting her life”, Mr Albanese also told parliament.

Laos police are investigating.

What is methanol?

Methanol, a colourless liquid with a faintly sweet pungent smell, completely mixes with water. It’s very similar to ethanol – the pure form of alcohol in alcoholic drinks.

Unlike ethanol, however, methanol is toxic to humans and is commonly used as a solvent in industrial processes, a precursor for producing formaldehyde and an ingredient in products like antifreeze and fuel.

How dangerous is it?

Methanol is readily absorbed and distributed throughout the body. It is metabolised to formic acid, which is toxic in large concentrations.

The US National Institutes of Health says it is well established that methanol has serious acute toxic effects that occur at high levels of exposure.

The NHS warns that as little as 4ml of methanol can cause hallucinations and blindness.

Half an hour to two hours after consuming methanol symptoms include drowsiness, confusion and irritability. Later symptoms include dizziness, vomiting, severe abdominal pain and diarrhoea.

Severe cases may lead to fast, shallow breathing, then coma and convulsions.

Patients may be given dialysis.

How can tourists avoid it?

Homemade alcohol, popular in southeast Asia, may accidentally contain too much methanol because of the distillation process. Or it may be used as a cheap substitute for ethanol – effectively a counterfeit alcoholic drink.

Local spirits including local rice or palm liquor, spirit-based mixed drinks such as cocktails, and fake branded alcohol sold in shops or bars may all be affected.

The Foreign Office issued a warning to UK tourists, advising holidaymakers in Laos to take precautions.

Measures include buying alcohol only from licensed stores and licensed bars and hotels, and avoiding homemade drinks.

Tourists should also check that bottle seals are intact when buying and check labels for poor print quality or incorrect spelling, which may indicate they are knock-offs.

Anyone suspecting they have drunk methanol is advised to get medical help.