The problem with methanol poisoning is that it looks very much like alcohol poisoning. And delays in treatment can be fatal.

Officials arrested eight hostel workers in Laos on Monday for allegedly poisoning travelers with methanol, according to reports from the Australian Broadcasting Corp.  Tourists reported illnesses after consuming alcohol in the town of Vang Vieng,

A third Australian has fallen ill after consuming methanol-laced alcohol in Laos. So far, six people have died and eight arrests have been made in what is suspected to be a mass methanol poisoning.