According to recent media reports, an Australian backpacker has died from the presumed effects of methanol poisoning. She had been on a backpacking holiday in Southeast Asia and became ill after consuming a quantity of alcohol in the town of Vang Vieng, Laos.

Her friend was also affected and has been evacuated to Bangkok. They are among several other foreign travellers who became ill. Four other deaths have been reported.

The toxic effects of methanol and illicit alcohol

Methanol, even in small doses, can cause serious health issues. Methanol is broken down in the body to formaldehyde and then to formic acid. This is responsible for making the body more acid (metabolic acidosis). The individual may present with nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain and this can be confused initially with food poisoning, particularly if a group of people are similarly affected. A loss of consciousness or visual disturbances might suggest a toxin like methanol rather than contaminated food.

While small amounts of methanol can be produced in fermented beverages, the problem often stems from the addition of methanol to spirits to make illicit alcohol. Mass poisonings are often reported in low and low middle-income countries. It can also result from mistakes in the fermentation process.

Illicit alcohol is alcohol which is produced outside government controls, and it is a global problem. According to WHO, over 25% of alcohol produced globally is illegal.

Backpackers on a low daily budget, spending a longer time on the road are more at risk of exposure to illicit alcohol than those spending short periods of time in 4–5-star resorts. There are also certain activities (rafting in Vang Vieng and full moon parties in Thailand) where exposure may occur.

The importance of a Travel Medicine consult for Backpackers

The discipline of travel medicine provides overseas travellers with an opportunity to focus on those issues which are the most relevant to their individual trip. It might be eating and drinking safely in Egypt and Mexico (avoiding Cleopatra’s curse and Montezuma’s revenge respectively), motion sickness on a cruise to Antarctica, or mosquito-borne diseases like dengue in Bali.

Backpacking is a very different form of travel, and the focus must be broad. Information on travel insurance, security and illicit alcohol is just as important as that of targeting vaccines and a medical kit.

Smartraveller has now raised the issue of methanol poisoning in travel. The headline is Partying Safely.

It isn’t a new issue for travel medicine service providers.

Book an online travel advice appointment with Healthy Travel 6–8 weeks before your trip.