Brazil Distributes 2,500 Units of Fomepizol Antidote Amid Methanol Poisoning Surge
Brazil prioritizes São Paulo with distribution of fomepizol antidote amid rising methanol poisoning cases and intensifies detection protocols.
- • Brazil received 2,500 units of fomepizol antidote to treat methanol poisoning, with São Paulo receiving 288 units.
- • As of October 8, 24 methanol poisoning cases confirmed nationwide, with 23 in São Paulo and five deaths.
- • São Paulo confirmed three new cases and implemented new protocols to speed detection, seizing 600 contaminated bottles.
- • A rapid reporting channel (SP156) was launched in São Paulo to facilitate public reporting of suspected methanol contamination.
Key details
Brazil has received an unprecedented shipment of 2,500 units of the antidote fomepizol to combat a recent outbreak of methanol poisoning linked to adulterated alcoholic beverages. The Ministry of Health began distributing 1,500 units, prioritizing the state of São Paulo, which has the highest burden of cases and will receive 288 units. Other states with reported cases, including Pernambuco and Paraná, also started receiving doses by October 10. Fomepizol prevents the toxic metabolization of methanol into formic acid, thus treating metabolic acidosis effectively.
As of October 8, Brazil reported 259 suspected methanol poisoning notifications, with 24 cases confirmed. São Paulo leads with 23 confirmed cases and five deaths, with additional deaths under investigation. On October 9, São Paulo confirmed three additional cases, amid a total of 148 cases under investigation and 152 ruled out. To enhance detection, the state introduced a new protocol allowing quicker screening of fewer beverage samples, resulting in the seizure of approximately 600 bottles from two ABC region establishments. São Paulo also launched a rapid reporting hotline, SP156, to empower citizens to report suspected methanol contamination swiftly.
The antidote acquisition, facilitated by a subsidiary of a Japanese company and activated through the Pan American Health Organization's Strategic Fund, complements a donation of 12,000 units of pharmaceutical ethanol for emergency treatment. Authorities continue investigations to control and prevent further poisonings during this health crisis affecting multiple Brazilian states.