Death Rate Among Alcohol Poisoning Victims Exceeds COVID-19 Mortality Rate
Rumors about recovery from coronavirus through alcohol consumption in Iran have driven up poisoning statistics from counterfeit alcohol use. While coronavirus deaths account for less than seven percent, over ten percent of those poisoned by alcohol have died.
In Iran, the spread of rumors about the positive effects of alcohol consumption for recovering from coronavirus and preventing COVID-19 infection has increased the number of alcohol consumers.
The number of people poisoned by consuming counterfeit or industrial alcohol has also risen. In various Iranian cities, the death toll from counterfeit alcohol poisoning increases daily.
Kianush Jahanpour, spokesman for the Ministry of Health, reported the number of coronavirus cases until noon on April 1st at 47,593 people.
According to official statistics from the Ministry of Health, 3,036 patients have died and 15,473 have recovered by this date. 3,871 coronavirus patients are also in critical condition. Accordingly, approximately 6.7 percent of identified coronavirus cases in Iran have been fatal.
According to a report from “Entekhab,” Kianush Jahanpour regarding counterfeit alcoholic product consumption in Iran stated: “So far, 3,117 cases of poisoning from counterfeit alcoholic products have been registered in the country, with 1,066 hospitalized and 73 in critical care units, and 62 have become blind or visually impaired. So far, 284 people have required dialysis services and suffered kidney problems, and 320 of these people have died.”
Mortality rate from counterfeit alcohol exceeds coronavirus
Statistical comparison shows that approximately 10.3 percent of those poisoned by counterfeit or industrial alcohol have died. Thus, the mortality rate among those poisoned by counterfeit alcohol has exceeded the death rate from COVID-19 infection. The mortality rate from coronavirus patients is 6.7 percent of all those infected with the coronavirus.
According to the Health Ministry spokesman, approximately two percent of poisonings from counterfeit or industrial alcohol have led to blindness or vision loss, and over nine percent have resulted in kidney disease.
Rising death toll from counterfeit alcohol poisoning in Yazd
On Wednesday, April 2nd, Mahmoud Nouri Shadkam, Deputy Director of Treatment at Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences in Yazd, announced an increase in counterfeit alcohol poisoning cases, reaching 56 people in the city. According to IRNA’s report, seven of these have died and two are in critical condition.
The Deputy Director of Treatment at Yazd University of Medical Sciences also noted that the poisoning of 16 of these people occurred in the past 24 hours. According to this university official, three of the poisoned individuals have become blind or visually impaired.
Rising death toll from counterfeit alcohol consumption in Fars Province
Meanwhile, the number of victims from alcohol poisoning in Fars Province has reached 84 people. According to ILNA’s report, in recent days, 667 patients with alcohol poisoning have been admitted to hospitals in Shiraz and cities in Fars Province, of which 84 have died so far and 583 are under treatment.
Mohammadjavad Moradian, head of the Fars Emergency Department, had previously warned about the increase in alcohol poisoning cases. In an interview with ISNA, he reported that by April 6th, the number of people who had suffered alcohol poisoning in Fars Province was four times the number of COVID-19 cases.
Moradian said: “Unfortunately, alcohol poisoning has shown an increasing trend in recent days and continues to do so.” He emphasized that 70 percent alcohol is only suitable for disinfecting surfaces, and consuming this toxic substance is extremely dangerous and leads to poisoning, disability, and even death. Moradian stated the average age of those poisoned from alcohol consumption to be between 20 and 40 years old.
Source: DW
