Overview
- Seven people were hospitalized after drinking cocktails at an engagement party, with three transferred to Salvador in intensive care, sedated, undergoing hemodialysis and receiving the antidote, while four remain in Ribeira do Pombal.
- Bahia’s technical police lab confirmed methanol both in seized vodka bottles and in the patients’ blood samples.
- Investigators traced the vodka to a single local distributor; the depot was sealed by health surveillance and the Civil Police opened an inquest after seizing evidence.
- Ribeira do Pombal temporarily banned the sale, distribution and consumption of distilled spirits through January 5, with stepped-up inspections and enforcement.
- The Health Ministry reinforced state supplies of fomepizol and ethanol antidotes, and officials report no additional suspected cases in the region so far.