Costa Rica alcohol warning
The Foreign Office is waning of a number of deaths and cases of serious illness in Costa Rica caused by alcoholic drinks containing methanol.
Criminal gangs have been reported to manufacture bottles of alcohol containing high amounts of methanol, it said.
These have included the brands Guaro Gran Apache, Aguardiente Estrella Roja, Guaro Montano, Aguardiente Bar-³n Rojo, Aguardiente Timbuka and Aguardiente Molotov.
“You should take care when buying any spirit-based drinks,” said the FCO in an update to its travel advice.
The Pan American Health Organisation says: "Methanol can cause headache, dizziness, nausea and vomiting. High doses can cause blindness or vision loss as a consequence of serious damage to the optic nerve.
“Chronic exposure may cause liver damage, cirrhosis or even death from respiratory or cardiac failure". If you, or someone you’re travelling with, shows signs of alcohol-induced methanol poisoning, seek immediate medical attention.”
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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