KUALA LUMPUR: KUALA LUMPUR: The death toll from methanol poisoning cases in the Klang Valley and several states now stands at 37 people.
The number included three deaths reported in Selangor and one in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.
Health Ministry director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said as of yesterday, alcohol poisoning had claimed the lives of 23 and 11 people in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur, respectively.
Meanwhile, the number of fatalities in Perak remained at three.
“Myanmar nationals were the highest fatalities with 11 deaths, followed by locals (10), Nepalese (eight); Bangladeshi (two) and Indian nationals (two).
“Meanwhile, the nationalities of four more people had yet to be ascertained,” he said in a statement today.
Dr Noor Hisham said as of yesterday, a total of six new cases were reported, making the total of 93.
“There were four new cases in Perak and once case each reported in Negeri Sembilan and Kuala Lumpur.
“The number of cases in Kuala Lumpur risen to 17 and two cases in Negeri Sembilan.
“Meanwhile, the number of alcohol poisoning cases in Selangor and Perak remained at 62 and 12 cases, respectively,” he said.
Dr Noor Hisham said eight patients at government hospitals had been discharged and 23 others were still being treated at 12 hospitals in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Perak in Negeri Sembilan.
“Eight of the 23 patients are in critical condition,” he said.
He said the ministry, through its Public Health and Food Quality Safety division had carried out checks on 988 premises selling alcoholic drinks.
As of yesterday, he said, a total of 4,489 bottles of the beverages drinks had been seized that did not comply with the Food Act 1983 and Food Regulations Act 1985.
Dr Noor Hisham said the ministry would continuously monitor the situation and urged the public to send their family members and friends who showed symptoms of methanol poisoning to the nearest clinic or hospital for treatment.
The symptoms include stomach ache, nauseousness, vomiting, head ache and blurry eye sight.