At least 17 people have died and 38 have received medical attention after being intoxicated after ingesting adulterated alcohol that had been sold without control and without sanitary registration in stores in two Ecuadorian provinces: Santo Domingo and Los Tsáchilas.
Specifically, the Ecuadorian Ministry of Public Health has reported nine deaths in the province of Esmeraldas, in the north of the country, as well as another eight deaths in the province of Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas, 100 km west of Quito, the capital. The deceased are 16 men between 25 and 84 years of age and one woman in the same age range.
In addition, 16 people are being treated for poisoning in medical centers in Esmeraldas and 39 others in the province of Santo Domingo, the health ministry said in a statement.
«This portfolio of State makes a call of co-responsibility to the citizenship to avoid the consumption of alcohol of dubious origin that does not have the necessary permits. Methyl alcohol is a toxic substance that can cause serious consequences, even death,» the agency recalled.
The Ministry has also pointed out the key symptoms of intoxication: blurred vision, nausea, dizziness or abdominal pain. «In the case of evidencing related symptoms it is important to go to the nearest health center,» he warned.
