Overview

• The Health Ministry reports 29 confirmed cases nationwide, including 25 in São Paulo, with five deaths in the state, 217 suspected cases under investigation and 249 dismissals.
• Police closed a suspected illicit plant in São Bernardo do Campo tied to at least two fatalities, searched sites in São Caetano do Sul and the capital and took eight suspects for questioning.
• Forensic labs say methanol was added to drinks and not produced in distillation, with 10%–45% methanol found in about half of 300 bottles tested and some containers holding only methanol.
• Authorities escalated enforcement with 49 arrests since September 29, seizures of about 20,200 suspect bottles, 113,000 empties and 480,000 seals, plus fresh detentions in Hortolândia and Tatuí and Procon inspections in 92 cities.
• The federal government is distributing pharmaceutical ethanol and units of fomepizol to states as part of emergency treatment for suspected intoxications.