A unique medical trial is being carried out in Bangladesh to identify patients suffering from methanol poisoning before symptoms begin…
Experts believe only a tiny fraction of victims of this potentially fatal poisoning – which led to the death of six tourists in Laos in November – are properly diagnosed and treated in time. But a highly reliable blood prick test developed by a Norwegian expert could save tens of thousands of lives if it is adopted on a global scale.
Over the past 25 years there have been more than 1,000 methanol outbreaks throughout the world, with some incidents claiming scores of lives. Indonesia has experienced the largest number of reported outbreaks (133). These are thought to be the tip of the iceberg as outbreaks are often not reported, particularly in countries where there is a social stigma surrounding victims.
In November 2024 free shots containing this toxic substance at a hostel in Laos claimed the lives of Simone White from the UK, and Australians Holly Bowles and Bianca Jones-along with three others. International headlines brought this hidden issue of methanol poisoning to worldwide attention.
Prof Knut Erik Hovda from Oslo University Hospital and University of Oslo has developed a finger prick blood test that detects formic acid in the blood, which is produced when methanol is metabolised.
Prof Hovda said: “We have a diagnostic test available which doesn’t require any kind of laboratory, or electricity. It takes about five minutes and a drop of blood, and we will have a colour reaction on that little plastic device that would tell us whether or not there is formic acid in the blood and approximately how much, and whether this is in a range that is dangerous.”
Prof Hovda is now training up medics throughout Bangladesh and India as part of a clinical trial for the test, as well as the effectiveness of the drug Fomepizole to treat patients. The National Institution for Healthcare Research-sponsored trial is recruiting 1,600 patients for trials in five centres in Bangladesh and three in India within a year.
The second part of the trial will include 4,500 patients to compare the new field test with results in the laboratory analyses, which take far longer and are often not available in many countries.
Prof Hovda said “It’s [the test] very sensitive and then we can start the treatment. We can even go and look for more patients out in the vicinity and we can send patients to hospital based on this very simple test. Hopefully we can save thousands of lives.”
‘The Documentary – What’s Your Poison: The Methanol Crisis‘ will be broadcast on 20 March at 9.30 GMT on the BBC World Service and is available online on BBC Sounds.
