http://mbds.promedmail.org/
Published Date: 2011-03-29 23:39:20
Subject
RO/MBDS> Undiagnosed fatalities - Viet Nam: Kon Tum, RFI
Archive Number: 20110329.0981
UNDIAGNOSED FATALITIES - VIET NAM: KON TUM, REQUEST FOR INFORMATION
*******************************************************************
A ProMED-mail post
http://www.promedmail.org
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
http://www.isid.org
Date: Thu 24 Mar 2011
Source: Thanh Nien News [edited]
http://www.thanhniennews.com/2010/Pages/20110324144127.aspx
Alcohol poisoning suspected in Central Highland deaths
------------------------------------------------------
The health department in the Central Highlands province of Kon Tum Wednesday [23 Mar 2011] said alcohol consumed by 5 residents prior to their deaths failed regulated methanol and aldehyde indexes.
Samples taken from 2 of 5 liquor selling shops in Ngoc Tem Commune failed the test, according to the department's preventive health center. The tests were conducted after the 5 persons died between 18 to 21 Mar [2011] and alcohol poisoning was suspected.
Preliminary investigations show that the 5 men, along with 3 others, drank a total of 6.5 liters of alcohol over 3 days starting on the morning of 15 Mar 2011.
They all suffered headache, respiratory difficulties, convulsions, and lost consciousness before dying. Investigations into the deaths are ongoing, local officials said.
[Byline: Trung Duong]
-- Communicated by: PRO/MBDS
[The above article reports 5 men in Kon Tum died after drinking alcohol. The etiologic agents which caused these deaths are still being investigated. However, it is reported that methanol and aldehyde levels of 2 among 5 of the alcohol samples taken from the neighborhood after the deaths did not meet the safety standard.
Further information regarding the etiologic agents of these deaths would be highly appreciated by PRO/MBDS.
The following comments regarding methanol and aldehyde are borrowed from Mod.SCM:
"Methanol is a type of alcohol not intended for human or animal consumption. It is also referred to as wood alcohol and methyl alcohol. Methanol is flammable and relatively volatile. It has no taste or color.
"It is used in industrial production and is also present in windshield wiper fluid, antifreeze, and fuel additives. It is extremely poisonous and mainly affects the neurological system, the ophthalmological system and the gastrointestinal system. Methanol poisoning is extremely serious and can result in death within a few hours if not immediately treated.
"Aldehyde is a group of highly reactive organic chemical compounds obtained by oxidation of primary alcohols. Many aldehydes are useful as solvents, monomers, perfume ingredients, preservatives, and disinfectants. Human health risks from aldehydes include allergenic hypersensitivity diseases, respiratory allergies, idiosyncratic drug toxicity and toxic effects of aldehydes in liver disease. Also, accumulation of aldehydes has been associated with various diseases, particularly those associated with aging, including diabetes toxicity (such as, nephropathy, cataractogenesis, cancer, contact dermatitis, liver diseases, respiratory allergies, drug toxicity, sclerosing peritonitis, and neurodegenerative diseases)."
Published Date: 2011-03-29 23:39:20
Subject
RO/MBDS> Undiagnosed fatalities - Viet Nam: Kon Tum, RFI Archive Number: 20110329.0981
UNDIAGNOSED FATALITIES - VIET NAM: KON TUM, REQUEST FOR INFORMATION
*******************************************************************
A ProMED-mail post
http://www.promedmail.org
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
http://www.isid.org
Date: Thu 24 Mar 2011
Source: Thanh Nien News [edited]
http://www.thanhniennews.com/2010/Pages/20110324144127.aspx
Alcohol poisoning suspected in Central Highland deaths
------------------------------------------------------
The health department in the Central Highlands province of Kon Tum Wednesday [23 Mar 2011] said alcohol consumed by 5 residents prior to their deaths failed regulated methanol and aldehyde indexes.
Samples taken from 2 of 5 liquor selling shops in Ngoc Tem Commune failed the test, according to the department's preventive health center. The tests were conducted after the 5 persons died between 18 to 21 Mar [2011] and alcohol poisoning was suspected.
Preliminary investigations show that the 5 men, along with 3 others, drank a total of 6.5 liters of alcohol over 3 days starting on the morning of 15 Mar 2011.
They all suffered headache, respiratory difficulties, convulsions, and lost consciousness before dying. Investigations into the deaths are ongoing, local officials said.
[Byline: Trung Duong]
-- Communicated by: PRO/MBDS
[The above article reports 5 men in Kon Tum died after drinking alcohol. The etiologic agents which caused these deaths are still being investigated. However, it is reported that methanol and aldehyde levels of 2 among 5 of the alcohol samples taken from the neighborhood after the deaths did not meet the safety standard.
Further information regarding the etiologic agents of these deaths would be highly appreciated by PRO/MBDS.
The following comments regarding methanol and aldehyde are borrowed from Mod.SCM:
"Methanol is a type of alcohol not intended for human or animal consumption. It is also referred to as wood alcohol and methyl alcohol. Methanol is flammable and relatively volatile. It has no taste or color.
"It is used in industrial production and is also present in windshield wiper fluid, antifreeze, and fuel additives. It is extremely poisonous and mainly affects the neurological system, the ophthalmological system and the gastrointestinal system. Methanol poisoning is extremely serious and can result in death within a few hours if not immediately treated.
"Aldehyde is a group of highly reactive organic chemical compounds obtained by oxidation of primary alcohols. Many aldehydes are useful as solvents, monomers, perfume ingredients, preservatives, and disinfectants. Human health risks from aldehydes include allergenic hypersensitivity diseases, respiratory allergies, idiosyncratic drug toxicity and toxic effects of aldehydes in liver disease. Also, accumulation of aldehydes has been associated with various diseases, particularly those associated with aging, including diabetes toxicity (such as, nephropathy, cataractogenesis, cancer, contact dermatitis, liver diseases, respiratory allergies, drug toxicity, sclerosing peritonitis, and neurodegenerative diseases)."