Overview
- State health officials said laboratory tests by the Technical Police Department detected methanol in seized bottles and in patients’ blood.
- Ribeira do Pombal suspended the sale, distribution and consumption of distilled alcoholic beverages until January 5, and the supplying depot was sealed by authorities.
- The Civil Police opened an inquiry and seized multiple bottles for analysis as sanitary inspections continue at local establishments.
- Three patients were transferred to Salvador’s Instituto Couto Maia and remain in intensive care with hemodialysis and antidote treatment, while four others are hospitalized in Ribeira do Pombal.
- The Health Ministry reinforced treatment capacity by sending 100 additional units of fomepizol, with the state reporting stocks of 318 ethanol ampoules and 206 units of fomepizol as Brazil tracks a broader wave of recent methanol cases.