Coronavirus: Four dead after drinking toxic hand sanitiser

Survivors of methanol poisoning can experience permanent visual impairment and complete vision loss

At least 15 people been hospitalised, of which four have died, after ingesting hand toxic sanitiser that contained methanol, the centres for disease control (CDC) has said.

The agency released a report on Wednesday which detailed 15 cases of methanol poisoning from hand sanitiser across New Mexico and Arizona, which occurred in May and June.

The CDC warned that swallowing alcohol-based hand sanitiser products containing methanol (wood alcohol) can cause life-threatening poisoning as the substance is toxic when ingested.

Four of the 15 patients died from the poisoning and three were discharged with vision impairment, the CDC said in the release. Six patients developed seizures during their hospitalisation.

Survivors of methanol poisoning might experience permanent visual impairment, including complete vision loss. Survivors of methanol poisoning might experience permanent visual impairment, including complete vision loss.

One case illustrated in detail in the report described 44-year-old man who was hospitalised after reportedly "drinking an unknown quantity of alcohol-based hand sanitiser".

The man experienced complicating "seizures" but recovered after a six-day hospitalisation, but was discharged with "near-total vision loss."

All of the patients received blood tests to confirm the presence of methanol, and all of the individuals had a history of swallowing alcohol-based hand sanitiser products.

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which regulates alcohol-based hand sanitisers as an over-the-counter drugs, methanol (methyl alcohol) is not an acceptable ingredient in hand sanitiser.

The FDA has frequently warned consumer against purchasing sanitisers that contain methanol since June, having listed over 100 products that they advise people not to buy to date.

The CDC stipulated that alcohol hand sanitisers are safe to use, but only ones that contain ethanol or isopropanol, not methanol. Alcohol-based hand sanitiser products should never be ingested.

The agency's report noted that it is rare for poisoning to occur if someone applies methanol hand sanitiser to the skin, though it can occur.

The organisation noted that similar cases of methanol toxicity might be occurring in other areas of the US.

“Consumers who have been exposed to alcohol-based hand sanitisers containing methanol should stop using them immediately and seek immediate medical attention if they experience any concerning symptoms," they wrote.