The Israeli Foreign Ministry on Monday issued an unusual travel warning for Brazil, advising those visiting the country to avoid drinking most alcoholic beverages in light of a possible link between a toxic substance and recent fatalities registered across the Latin American country.
“Following repeated incidents involving alcohol in Brazil, the Foreign Ministry wishes to inform the Israeli public that recent reports have indicated cases in which methanol (a toxic substance that can be fatal) was mixed into some alcoholic beverages sold in the country,” the statement read.
Israeli citizens staying in Brazil are advised to exercise extra caution when consuming alcohol, and for the time being should revert to drinking only wine and beer from sealed and original bottles, the ministry said.
“The matter is currently being investigated by the Brazilian Health Ministry to determine the link between the consumption of alcoholic beverages and recent cases of illness and death,” the Foreign Ministry added.
Direct phone numbers were published on the ministry’s website for incidents of emergency.
The recent health issue has stirred a storm in Brazil, according to Israel’s Channel 12 News.
Since August, hundreds of suspected poisoning cases have been reported, with dozens hospitalized in serious condition and at least five confirmed deaths—all connected to the purchasing of fake liquors mixed with methanol, the report continued.
Marcelo Lombardi, 45, from São Paulo, Brazil, purchased a bottle of vodka from the grocery store on Sep. 26. “It was his favorite liquor,” said his sister, Fernanda Lombardi, according to CNN.
On the following day, he woke up blind and was taken to the hospital. His death was pronounced on Sep. 28.
CNN reported that the incident has sparked nationwide panic, with sales of hard liquors plummeting.
Federal authorities are investigating how industrial methanol entered Brazil’s consumer alcohol supply, the report added.
