What to Know About the Methanol Poisonings in Laos

Officials in several countries are warning of the dangers of consuming alcoholic drinks that contain methanol after the recent deaths of at least six tourists who had traveled to Laos.

Several of the tourists had visited Vang Vieng, a small town popular with backpackers that has tried to move past its reputation as a destination for drug use and partying. At least two had been given free shots of vodka at a hostel there, The Associated Press reported. In 2012, the Lao government, concerned about drug use and excessive drinking in Vang Vieng, closed all the bars there.

Experts said that methanol was sometimes found in bootleg liquor or added to cheap drinks, and that even small amounts could be fatal.

Here’s what to know about the poisonings.

A hostel is under scrutiny.

The U.S. Embassy in Laos said on Friday that it was aware of “a number of cases of suspected methanol poisoning in Vang Vieng, possibly through the consumption of methanol-laced alcoholic drinks.” The State Department said that an American had died in Vang Vieng, but did not offer further details.

The A.P. reported that two Australians who had been in Vang Vieng were sickened after they were among a group of more than 100 guests who were given free shots of Lao vodka at the Nana Backpacker Hostel. Australia’s foreign minister, Penny Wong, later confirmed that two Australians, Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles, had died after they were taken to Thailand for treatment.

Denmark’s Foreign Ministry said that two Danish citizens had died in Laos but did not specify whether the deaths were linked to methanol poisoning.