The Ministry of Health confirmed, on Friday (3), that 113 cases of methanol poisoning were recorded in Brazil. At this point, 11 have already been confirmed and 102 are under suspicion.
Most complaints come from the state of São Paulo, with 101 cases (11 confirmed and 90 under investigation). Other states also registered possible occurrences: 6 in investigation in Pernambuco, 2 in Bahia, 2 in the Federal District and 1 if analyzed in Paraná and Mato Grosso do Sul.
To date, 12 deaths have been recorded, 1 already confirmed and 11 others still under analysis – 8 in São Paulo, 1 in Pernambuco, 1 in Bahia and 1 in Mato Grosso do Sul.]
In view of the seriousness of the situation, the Ministry of Health has announced new measures to combat cases. In partnership with the Brazilian Hospital Services Company (Ebserh), 4,300 pharmaceutical ethanol ampoules were acquired, an antidote used in this type of intoxication.
The government also seeks hunger, another antidote used in serious but difficult to access, as few countries produce the medicine. ANVISA was called to hold an international call involving the 10 largest regulatory agencies in the world, including the United States, European Union, Japan and China.
In addition, the ministry officialized a request to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) for the emergency donation of 100 hunger treatments, and showed interest in acquiring another thousand units through the organization’s strategic fund credit line, expanding the drug reserve of the drug.
In response to cases, a situation room was installed to monitor and coordinate national actions as long as there is a risk of chemical intoxication. The ministry guided states and municipalities to immediately notify suspicious cases, reinforcing surveillance and rapid response.
From this Friday, will be released the updates of data of people intoxicated daily, at 17h.
