Seven people have died as a result of drinking a toxic solvent passed off as traditional Cuban rum. The deadly liquid was stolen from the Cuban Institute of Pharmacy and Food and according to the BBC the thieves sold the methanol as regular alcohol.
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Methyl alcohol also known as wood alcohol is illegal in Cuba and many other places because of the serious health affects it can have on those who consume it. BBC says those who drink wood alcohol will experience symptoms similar to poisoning. These symptoms include headaches, nausea and blindness.
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Seven people in the La Lisa municipality of Havana have died from drinking the methyl alcohol. Another 40 people are currently in the hospital, some remain in critical condition. The people poisoned by the illegal alcohol were between the ages of 40 and 50, Reuters reports.
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The Public Health Ministry in Cuba issued a statement on Wednesday confirming the deaths and urging anyone experiencing symptoms to get to a hospital immediately. The statement read,
"Those affected consumed wood alcohol sold illegally...that was supplied by two individuals who work in the pharmacy and Food Institute and took it from the local warehouse. Wood alcohol is extremely toxic and causes headaches, nausea, blindness and death."
Methanol or methyl alcohol used in the illegal drink is an ingredient often found in anti-freeze and is also used as fuel.
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