Aussies to take extra precautions overseas during festive period

This worrying map reveals why Aussies heading overseas this festive period should take extra precautions particularly in some of their favourite destinations.

Australians heading overseas this festive period should take extra precautions particularly in some of their favourite holiday destinations.

A Finder survey revealed 34 per cent of Aussies – equivalent to 7.1 million adults – plan to travel over the Christmas break with Fiji and South East Asia high on the list.

With millions of Aussies set to escape the country for a well-deserved break, experts have warned tourists to remain diligent and follow government advice following the recent alcohol poisonings in Laos and alleged drink poisonings in Fiji.

A map shared on a website by Doctors Without Borders that monitors methanol poisoning, reveals all the locations where there’s been suspected methanol poisonings.

The data over the past five years is based on news reports and personal communications, with Indonesia the top country ‘by number of incidents’ at 339, followed by India at 131 and Russia at 117.

Australians heading overseas this festive period should take extra precautions particularly in some of their favourite holiday destinations.

Iran ranked first as the country by number of affected people at 9,600, followed by India at 6,300, Russia at 3,400 and Indonesia at 2,700.

“It is reported that thousands of people suffer from methanol poisoning every year. If not treated, fatality rates are often reported to be 20 per cent to 40 per cent, depending on the concentration of toxic methanol and the amount taken,” the site reads.

“However, this is believed to be an underestimation of the real situation.

“Statistics show that Asia has the highest prevalence of methanol poisoning worldwide with outbreaks commonly occurring in Indonesia, India, Cambodia, Vietnam, and the Philippines.”

Indonesia ranked as the top country ‘by number of incidents’ at 339. Picture: Doctorswithoutborders/methanolpoisoning.msf.org

Last month two Melbourne teens – Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles, both 19 – died in a mass methanol poisoning after consuming alcoholic drinks in the Southeast Asian country of Laos.

British woman Simone White, 28, two Danish women Anne-Sofie Orkild Coyman, 20, and Freja Vennervald Sorensen, 21, and American man James Louis Hutson, 57, also died after reportedly consuming free shots at Nana’s Backpackers Hostel.

This week, four Australians were hospitalised after consuming pina coladas at the Warwick Resort on Fiji’s Coral Coast, a five-start resort where rooms start at $300-a-night.

The seven total affected guests are aged from 18 to 56 years old and were taken to hospital on Saturday night experiencing “nausea, vomiting and neurological symptoms”.

The four Australian women are aged 46, 49 and just 18 and 19.

Iran ranked first as the country by number of affected people at 9,600, followed by India at 6,300, Russia at 3,400 and Indonesia at 2,700. Picture: Doctorswithoutborders/methanolpoisoning.msf.org

Fiji’s deputy prime minister Viliame Gavoka confirmed the cocktails did not contain methanol like those in Laos, or “illicit substances”.

Methanol is known to take a number of hours to impact those who drink it, while the holiday-makers in Fiji suffered immediate symptoms.

One person was discharged from hospital on Sunday, followed by four others on Monday and two remained in a stable condition.

‘Just be really, really careful’

Federal minister Jason Clare described the situation in Fiji as feeling like “deja vu”.

“My message for Australians travelling overseas is just be really, really careful with whatever you consume,” he said on ABC News Breakfast on Monday.

Seven Fijian tourists were rushed to hospital after consuming an allegedly contaminated cocktail at the Warwick Resort on Fiji’s Coral Coast. Picture: Alamy

“There’s a real terrifying sense of deja vu. It’s only a month ago two young Australian women died in Laos from methanol poisoning. And then when we wake up to hear this horrific news in Fiji, I’m sure all Australians have their heart in mouth and are hoping for the best.”

Following the incident, the Australian government’s official travel advice website, Smartraveller, updated its advice for Fiji.

“Be alert to the potential risks around drink spiking and methanol poisoning through consuming alcoholic drinks,” it said. “Get urgent medical help if you suspect drink spiking.”

Drink spiking can happen anywhere but methanol poisoning is a risk in popular destinations in Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, Africa and Eastern Europe, where alcohol production is less regulated, Smartraveller warns.

Smarttraveller explains alcohol production is less regulated in some destinations than in Australia.

“This can lead to methanol being used in the production process to lower costs. Methanol is highly toxic,” the site reads.

“As little as one shot can be fatal. Locals and foreigners, including Australians, have died or become seriously ill from poisoned drinks overseas. It can be a risk in popular destinations in Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, Africa and Eastern Europe.”

Among the official government advice to avoid drink spiking overseas is to not leave drinks unattended, pay attention when your drinks are being mixed, be especially careful drinking cocktails and drinks made with spirits.

Georgia Sandoe-Simpson, 19, was taken to hospital after she consumed an allegedly contaminated cocktail at the Warwick Resort in Fiji.

According to Doctors Without Borders, in September, several people were poisoned by methanol in Indonesia after consuming alcohol ordered off the internet.

The site explains that in the past two decades, Indonesia had the highest number of reported incidents of methanol poisoning in the world.

“The source of methanol poisoning in Indonesia is most often caused by bootleg liquor, known locally as ‘miras oplosan’ or Arak – a local illegally brewed coconut flower, rice and sugarcane-based spirit which can be purchased from unlicensed ‘bottle-shops’,” the site reads.

“Over the years, many foreign tourists had fallen victim to methanol poisoning after consuming incorrectly distilled Arak containing methanol in Bali, Lombok and Gili Islands.”

A pina colada at the Warwick resort's bar.

A Facebook page called “Just Don’t Drink Spirits in Bali” with 16,000 members advises people to drink beer, cider, wine and duty-free alcohol purchased on arrival in Bali, but to avoid cocktails and shots.

“If someone has to pour a drink out of bottle of mixed spirits behind the bar, there a potential that you could end up with methanol poisoning,” said the page’s creator Colin Ahaern.

“Be careful,” he said. “Bali is a gorgeous place, but it’s got its own traps.”

Travel expert Natalie Ball, COO for 1Cover Travel Insurance said travellers should remain vigilant but calm.

“No doubt travellers will be rattled by last month’s horrifying news of the death of six young travellers due to suspected methanol poisoning,” she told news.com.au.

Ms Ball said advised travellers to exercise caution.

“In countries with more relaxed liquor regulations the risk of methanol poisoning is heightened. If you choose to drink alcohol abroad, our advice would be to avoid spirits and stick to canned or screw top, pre-packaged drinks” she said.

Melbourne teen Bianca Jones died following a methanol poisoning tragedy in Laos. Picture: Facebook

Her friend Holly Bowles, 19, also passed away.

Angus Kidman, travel expert at Finder, explained most travel insurance policies will exclude any coverage if alcohol is the “underlying cause” of an injury.

“That means if you get three sheets to the wind and then trip and injure yourself, your insurance won’t cover you,” he told news.com.au.

“However, having your drink spiked or being served a cheap doctored spirit by an unscrupulous bar doesn’t really fall into that category, since that’s not something you could have reasonably anticipated.”

Both travel experts said the recent events were a further reminder never to dismiss travel insurance.

“The costs of overseas hospital care, evacuation, and additional support in an emergency can be overwhelming. Travel insurance is not just a luxury; it’s a necessity,” Ms Ball said.

Meanwhile, Australian Travel Industry Association CEO Dean Long has urged Aussies not to cancel their trips to Fiji.

He said Fiji was a “very, very safe destination” and Australians could be assured the Fijian government would “throw every resource at this,” given tourism was of such critical importance to the country.

Almost 406,000 Australians travelled to Fiji in the 12 months to October.

Mr Long said cancelled trips would hurt the local Fijian population that want to welcome Aussie families over summer.

“If people are very nervous about it, they can change the way they consume alcohol,” he said, suggesting it is best to drink pre-mixed sealed drinks that you can open yourself.