Methanol poisoning: Man saw kaleidoscopic light before going blind

A survivor of methanol poisoning in Laos recounted seeing a dazzling light before losing his sight, sharing his harrowing experience. Calum Macdonald, along with his friends, arrived at the Vietnamese border, where he noticed his vision was impaired, with everything appearing as a kaleidoscopic blur. This unsettling development followed a night of consuming free whisky and vodka shots mixed with soft drinks at a hostel in Vang Vieng, a popular tourist spot.

Despite attributing his symptoms to potentially being food poisoning, Calum soon realized something was very wrong when he reached Vietnam. Struggling to see clearly, he remarked to his friends about the darkness in their room, oblivious to the fact that the lights were already on. Calum, now 23 years old, lost his eyesight as a result of being one of the victims of a mass methanol poisoning incident in Vang Vieng in November, where six fatalities occurred, including two Danish girls he had previously met.

Following his own tragic experience, Calum is advocating for greater awareness surrounding the dangers of methanol poisoning while working with families impacted by similar incidents. Notably, Simone White, one of the individuals who lost their lives to methanol poisoning, sent a message to her mother expressing joy about her vacation shortly before falling ill. The devastating consequences of methanol contamination in alcoholic beverages have claimed lives in various parts of the world, prompting calls for preventative measures and caution among travelers.

Methanol, a toxic form of alcohol often present in cleaning products and other substances, poses significant health risks when consumed unknowingly. Reports of individuals succumbing to methanol poisoning after ingesting contaminated drinks highlight the importance of caution and vigilance, especially in regions where such incidents are prevalent. The devastating impact of methanol poisoning serves as a somber reminder of the dangers associated with counterfeit alcohol and the urgent need for heightened awareness among travelers to safeguard against such life-threatening risks

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