UK issues travel warning to citizens in Nigeria over scare of fake drugs

UK issues travel warning to citizens in Nigeria over scare of fake drugs

UK authorities have warned British citizens travelling to Nigeria and other seven countries of risk of methanol poisoning from counterfeit or tainted alcoholic drinks.

UK Foreign Office updated travel guidance listed Nigeria, Ecuador, Japan, Kenya, Mexico, Peru, Russia and Uganda among countries with high risk of methanol poisoning following incidents involving its citizens in the listed countries on Tuesday.

Before now, countries on the list include, Thailand, Laos and Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Turkey, Costa Rica and Fiji.

“There have been deaths and cases of serious illness caused by alcoholic drinks containing methanol in Nigeria,” the UK Foreign Office said. “Where incidents have been reported, Nigerian authorities have sought to shut down production centres, particularly for unlicensed traditional gin.”

According to UK Foreign Office, Methanol is toxic even in small amounts. It is an industrial alcohol made from distilling wood and can be found in many commercial products, such as antifreeze, fuel and paint thinners. In some parts of the world methanol products are sometimes illegally mixed with ‘real’ alcohol such as spirit-based drinks and cocktails.

Warning Brits travelling to Nigeria and other countries on how to stay safe, the UK Foreign Office urged its citizens to “Avoid homemade or streetside alcohol. Don’t drink from unlabelled bottles. Local spirits or homemade alcohol are at high risk.”

It added, “Stick to licensed places. Only buy your drinks from licensed liquor stores, bars, clubs, restaurants and hotels. Check bottles. Stick to sealed or bottled drinks. Seals should be intact, labels aren’t always accurate and can be counterfeit. Be cautious about spirits, cocktails, shots, unusually cheap or free drinks. Pre-mixed cocktails served in “buckets” or jugs in tourist areas can be high risk.”