Methanol outbreak in the district of Hulu Langat, 2018
Introduction: A methanol outbreak occurred in the district of Hulu Langat on 16 September 2018. The Hulu Langat District Health Office received 25 notifications of a suspected methanol poisoning from Kajang and Ampang Hospital. An outbreak investigation was done to determine the source followed...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English English |
| Published: |
Malaysian Medical Association
2019
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://irep.iium.edu.my/76158/ http://irep.iium.edu.my/76158/ http://irep.iium.edu.my/76158/13/76158_Methanol%20outbreak%20in%20the%20district.pdf http://irep.iium.edu.my/76158/7/76158_Methanol%20outbreak%20in%20the%20district%20of%20hulu%20langat%2C%202018_Scopus.pdf |
| Summary: | Introduction: A methanol outbreak occurred in the district of
Hulu Langat on 16 September 2018. The Hulu Langat District
Health Office received 25 notifications of a suspected
methanol poisoning from Kajang and Ampang Hospital. An
outbreak investigation was done to determine the source
followed by a preventive and control measure.
Method: Active case detection was done on cases living
quarters and workplaces. Patients were interviewed, and
their blood and urine samples were sent for methanol
analysis. Samples of suspected alcoholic beverages were
also sent for analysis. A suspected case was defined as any
person presented with clinical symptoms with a history of
consuming alcoholic beverages within five days before
symptoms and high anion gap metabolic acidosis. A
confirmed case was defined as a suspected case with
positive blood and urine methanol.
Results: In total, there were 25 suspected cases, of which 12
cases were confirmed. The calculated attack rate was 48%.
There were six mortalities (50%) secondary to severe
metabolic acidosis. The most common presenting symptom
was vomiting (75%) and abdominal pain (41.7%). These
cases were linked to consumption of illicitly produced
alcohol. Samples of the alcoholic drinks were positive
containing high level of methanol.
Conclusion: The methanol outbreak in the Hulu Langat was
successfully managed. Appropriate control and prevention
measures were taken, including health promotion and joint
enforcement activities. Steps were taken successfully
through collaborations with multiple agencies and
cooperation with Selangor Health Departments and the
Ministry of Health. Continuous surveillance on the product
of liquor, and health promotion are essential to prevent a
similar outbreak from happening again in future. |
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