One Dead in Bahia Methanol Poisonings as Ribeira do Pombal Bans Distilled Alcohol

Overview

• The municipal government confirmed the death of 31-year-old Vinicius Oliveira Vieira, one of seven people poisoned in Ribeira do Pombal.
• Investigators say most victims drank a cocktail at an engagement party, while the man who died bought the same vodka a day earlier at the same depot.
• A Department of Forensic Police report detected methanol in the confiscated beverages and in victims' blood, prompting the depot's sealing and product seizures at two other shops.
• A temporary prohibition on the sale, distribution, supply, and consumption of distilled drinks remains in effect from December 31 to January 5 as inspectors continue checks, with no new suspected cases reported locally.
• Treatment efforts include federal shipments of antidotes and Anvisa's prevention guidance; two patients were discharged, two remain hospitalized in Ribeira do Pombal, and two are in Salvador, with one intubated.