San Paulo – SAO Paulo (AP) – on Friday evening was not typical in a bar near Paulist Avenue, one of the most lively areas of San Paulo and a popular place for tourists. Almost every table ordered beer, wine, or draforative beer, but without cocktails.
Edilson Tridad, a manager who worked in the bar since 2018, said the Associated Press that the institution usually sells about 80 Kaypirinhi – Brazil The national cocktail prepared with a stream, lime, sugar and ice – every night. Last week, he did not sell a single one. No other cocktails were ordered.
“Clients were worried, and we advise them that it is better not to drink cocktails,” Tridad said.
His anxiety reflects nationwide anxiety about distilled drinks after a surge of cases of methanol poisoning, which prompted police investigations, incited public fear and changed the habits of drinking in recent days.
The Ministry of Health reported on Friday, which confirmed 11 cases related to alcoholic beverages, and investigated 102 suspects. One death was confirmed using laboratory tests in the San Paulo, and eleven others investigated.
In almost all cases, it was registered in the San Paulo, the most densely populated state of the country and the epicenter of the outbreak.
Last week, local media reported the death and hospitalization associated with alcohol stretched methanol. Some patients were taken into intensive care with severe symptoms, including blindness.
One of them was rapper Hangria, which was hospitalized in Brazil after it was possible, drinking alcohol. On Friday, he published on his Instagram account that he was feeling better and will soon be discharged.
“On Friday there is another energy. If you feel thirsty, find a safe place to drink, ”said the singer.
The Minister of Health Alexander Padila called on the Brazilians to avoid drinking alcohol, especially distilled drinks, which are more difficult to check in relation to falsification. He called the situation abnormal and noted that Brazil registered 20 cases of methanol poisoning in August and September, equal to its average per rental.
“As a doctor and Minister of Health, I advise everyone to avoid distilled products, especially colorless, if you are not sure of their origin,” said Padila. “These are not significant objects.”
Warning from the authorities and doctors caused panic among many Brazilians.
Some establishments told customers that they will temporarily suspend the sales of distilled alcohol. Clients changed cocktails, such as traditional Brazilian kipirini, for fermented drinks. Other bars changed their menu and began to offer cocktail mixes without distilled drinks.
Jessica Avil, a 34-year-old cultural producer, was in the Trindade bar is controlled near Avenida Paulist on Friday evening, relaxing with friends, but still feeling “very concerned”.
“With all these cases that continue to reach before every day is reported, it is anxious. I even saw how famous people were hospitalized, ”she said. “Right now, I can’t force myself to drink any distilled perfume, if I have no confidence that they are not fakes. I adhere to beer. “
There are three main types of alcohol: ethanol, methanol and isopropanol. Ethanol is safe for consumption and is in spirits. Isopropanol is used in disinfectants and rubbing alcohol. Methanol, also known as wood alcohol, is used in fuel, antifreeze and solvents.
Methanol poisoning can cause headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, blurry vision, convulsions, and even to whom, according to the centers of control and prevention of US diseases. CDC advises immediate medical care, if poisoning is supposed.
The authorities inspect bars and distributors suspected of selling polluted products. “We determined that fake alcoholic drinks contaminated with methanol. Therefore, we need to understand how, ”said AP Arthur Diane, police chief of San Paulo.
The police still do not know if the product was intentional or random. People who fake alcohol usually mix them with other substances to increase the volume and profit that can include methanol, he said. Another possibility is that the bottles were polluted by toxic substance.
“Although we know that small amounts are not polluted and are not able to cause health damage, we do not know the exact amount that can remain in the bottle, Dian said.
The Brazilian Association of Distilled drinks said that the illegal alcohol market was growing. The study conducted by Euromonitor, put into operation of the association, showed that falsified drinks account for 28% of the Brazil market and are sold at prices by 35% lower than legal products.
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