Hundreds Dead in Iran After They Used Methanol Thinking it Could Protect Them From Coronavirus

More than 300 people have died and at least 2,197 more have fallen ill after consuming methanol because they believed it would help protect them from catching COVID-19, local media said.

At the heart of the problem, are fake remedies, which have spread online across social media channels in Iran. As an Islamic nation, the trading and consumption of alcohol is banned, but that hasn't stopped bootleggers from distributing methanol to people in the country. Those looking for alcoholic-based drinks often find them through a chain of black market dealers, where it is difficult to tell what the source or quality of alcohol might be.

Gholam Hosein Mohebbi, head of the public relation of Imam Hospital of Ahwaz, told ABC News that they initially believed patients were drinking alcohol to protect themselves from the coronavirus.

"But later we realized from their families and friends that they were mostly alcohol users who would get their alcohol from bootleggers, but this time what they had been handed over was a methanol-based drink, not their usual booze, named araq, mixed with water and ethanol," he said.

Iran is among one of the hardest hit countries in the world, as more than 35,000 people there have been infected with COVID-19 as of Saturday morning. It's also seen a heavy death toll, at 2,517.

"Other countries have only one problem, which is the new coronavirus pandemic,” said Dr. Hossein Hassanian, an adviser to Iran’s Health Ministry. “We have to both cure the people with the alcohol poisoning and also fight the coronavirus.”

Hassanian says the problem could be more severe than reported.

Delta Offers Free Flights for Medical Volunteers

Delta Airlines said this week that medical volunteers who are heading for certain regions of the U.S. that have been significantly affected by the coronavirus can book round-trip Delta flights free of charge, a statement from the airline said Friday.

Volunteers who are heading to Georgia, Louisiana and Michigan can get the free flights by:

Georgia: Interested individuals can learn more by reaching out to providers@gema.ga.gov.

Louisiana: Contact the Louisiana Hospital Association at LHA-HealthPro@lhaonline.org.

Michigan: Volunteers can visit Michigan.gov for more information.

“Air travel plays a significant role in making connections in both good and challenging times, and our hope is that offering free travel gives more of these professionals the ability to help in critical areas of the U.S.,” said Bill Lentsch, Delta’s Chief Customer Experience Officer.

The airline is looking into expanding the program for other regions, including the hardest hit states of California, New York and Washington.

To keep up to date on the latest news about the coronavirus and to understand what you need to stay safe and healthy, check out the Coronavirus: Fact vs Fiction podcast from CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta.

Lucy Chapman

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