A 30-year-old woman has become the third person to die from methanol poisoning in the Brazilian state of São Paulo, as authorities investigate the source of the tainted drinks believed to have caused the illnesses.
Bruna Araújo de Souza died after consuming a vodka drink at a bar over a week ago, according to officials in the city of São Bernardo. This follows the deaths of two men who also suffered from the effects of methanol.
To date, there have been a total of 225 confirmed cases of methanol poisoning in Brazil, primarily in the São Paulo area. In response, authorities have closed at least 11 businesses and confiscated more than 10,000 bottles of alcohol.
The true cause of the contamination remains unknown, and consumers have been advised to refrain from drinking products lacking labels, safety seals, or tax stamps. Methanol, a toxic form of alcohol present in industrial products, poses severe health risks even in minor quantities.
Symptoms of methanol poisoning can mimic those of a hangover, complicating diagnosis for victims. Souza was hospitalized in critical condition with methanol detected in her system, ultimately being declared brain dead.
National and state health officials are scrutinizing other suspected cases linked to methanol. Rappers and public figures have echoed the call for caution, urging others to be vigilant in seeking safe drinking options.
Health Minister Alexandre Padilha described the circumstances surrounding this outbreak as unprecedented in Brazilian history.
