Preliminary investigation and rapid response to methanol intoxication outbreak linked to illegal herbal liquor in Bangkok, August 2024

Authors

  • Charuttaporn Jitpeera Joint Investigation Team of the Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health
  • Watcharapol Rongdech Joint Investigation Team of the Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health
  • Kogkawee Raruenroeng Joint Investigation Team of the Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health
  • Vitchakorn Poonyakanok Joint Investigation Team of the Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health
  • Panita Kumphon Joint Investigation Team of the Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health
  • Kawinna Kerdsalung Joint Investigation Team of the Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health
  • Rittichai Jaipong Joint Investigation Team of the Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health
  • Tatcha Manta Manta Joint Investigation Team of the Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health
  • Thanawan Gabbhirom Institute for Urban Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health
  • Somrak Sirikhetkon Institute for Urban Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health
  • Kanyarat Jarudilokkul Institute for Urban Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health
  • Kantakarn Nilsum Health Department, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration
  • Thanach Photphisutthiphong Health Department, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration
  • Nattinee Isarankura Health Department, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration
  • Wichan Bhunyakitikorn Division of Epidemiology, Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.59096/wesr.v55i9.3248

Keywords:

methanol intoxication, Bangkok

Abstract

Highlight

- As of September 3, 2024, 44 individuals were investigated under methanol intoxication outbreak related to illegal herbal liquor in Bangkok, August 2024, including 20 confirmed cases, 10 probable cases, and 8 suspected cases. Eight deaths were reported, with a gender ratio of 9.25 males per 1 female, and the median age of patients was 39 years.

- The investigation found that there may have been methanol contamination in the production process of the illegal herbal liquor, which is currently under investigation, resulting in the spread of the illegal herbal liquor at 18 illegal herbal liquor booths in the distributor's network.

- Immediate actions included closing herbal liquor booths and launching a public awareness campaign through various media channels, including multilingual TikTok videos. The authorities also monitored the situation closely, ensuring no new cases were reported over a 7-day period.

References

Ashurst JV, Nappe TM. Methanol Toxicity. In: StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023.

Hassanian-Moghaddam H, Nikfarjam A, Mirafzal A, Saberinia A, Nasehi AA, Masoumi Asl H, et al. Methanol mass poisoning in Iran: role of case finding in outbreak management. J Public Health (Oxf). 2015;37(2):354-9.

Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Public Health. Death Warning! Lethal Herbal Liquor Mixed with Toads Recipe [press release]. 2019. Available from: https://foodsafety.moph.go.th/_WEBADMIN2/uploads/n_file/mhs1hmtxsj4o8woko.pdf (in Thai)

Naewna. Warning ''Herbal Liqour person" who have been to 18 spots to monitor symptoms and see a doctor immediately. 2024 [cited 2024 Sep 3]. Available from: https://www.naewna.com/local/824858 (in Thai)

Sanook. Ms. Poo reveals the formula for "Deadly Herbal Liquor" What is in it? Selling since her father's generation for 30 years, no one has ever died. 2024 [cited 2024 Sep 4]. Available from: https://www.sanook.com/news/9526062/ (in Thai).

Matichon Online. Timeline of deadly herbal liquor cluster revealed: Police suspect Es and Art used methanol instead, hoping to save costs (in Thai): Matichon; 2024 [cited 2024 Sep 4]. Available from: https://www.matichon.co.th/local/news_4765074

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Published

2024-09-06

How to Cite

Jitpeera, C., Rongdech, W., Raruenroeng, K., Poonyakanok, V., Kumphon, P., Kerdsalung, K., Jaipong, R., Manta, T. M., Gabbhirom, T., Sirikhetkon, S., Jarudilokkul, K., Nilsum, K., Photphisutthiphong, T., Isarankura, N., & Bhunyakitikorn, W. (2024). Preliminary investigation and rapid response to methanol intoxication outbreak linked to illegal herbal liquor in Bangkok, August 2024. Weekly Epidemiological Surveillance Report, 55(9). https://doi.org/10.59096/wesr.v55i9.3248

Issue

Vol. 55 No. 9 (2024): September

Section

Note from the field/Health Alert Reports/Relevant research

License

Copyright (c) 2024 Weekly Epidemiological Surveillance Report

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

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