Holly Bowles sixth to die of suspected methanol poisoning in Laos
www.bbc.com
Holly Bowles died in hospital more than a week after first falling ill in a Laos tourist town.

Summary

Holly Bowles, a 19-year-old Australian, has become the sixth foreign tourist to die from suspected methanol poisoning in Laos.

She and her friend Bianca Jones fell ill in Vang Vieng, a popular backpacking town, after reportedly consuming tainted alcohol, which can be lethal even in small amounts.

Other victims include a British lawyer, an American man, and two Danish women. Methanol, often found in bootleg or home-distilled alcohol, is believed to be the cause.

Authorities are investigating, with the manager of the hostel where free shots were served detained for questioning.

  • perestroika@lemm.eeEnglish
    30·
    5 days ago

    The preferred antidote is fomepizole together with hemodialysis.

    Fomepizole works by blocking the enzyme that converts methanol and ethylene glycol to their toxic breakdown products.[4]

    • Fuck spez@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
      4·
      5 days ago

      Didn’t hospitals just used to keep a bottle of whiskey in the med supply closet before this stuff was developed?

      • Duamerthrax@lemmy.worldEnglish
        6·
        5 days ago

        Any poison can be medicine at the right dose and any medicine can be a poison at the wrong dose. There’s probably a very long list of aliments that ethanol can treat.