Many people in critical condition after drinking wine soaked with forest roots

On the evening of October 19, a leader of Son Lam commune (Nghe An province) said that a suspected alcohol poisoning case had just occurred in the commune. Accordingly, at noon of the same day, a number of people gathered at the house of Mr. Nguyen Van Trinh (52 years old, in Tan Lam village, Ngoc Lam commune, old Thanh Chuong district) to drink alcohol.

"When they came to Mr. Trinh's house, many people also brought their own wine. After drinking about 6 cups each, Mr. Trinh started to show symptoms of cyanosis, difficulty breathing, and then fell from the chair. A while later, 5 guests also showed similar symptoms," said Mr. Lu Van Duong - Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Son Lam commune, adding that at that time, this group of people had drunk all 3 types of wine brought by 3 people. In which, it was mainly wine soaked with tree roots brought from the forest.

These people were then immediately given first aid and transferred to Thanh Chuong General Hospital. A representative of Thanh Chuong General Hospital said that out of the 6 patients, 4 were admitted to the hospital in critical condition and were transferred to Nghe An General Hospital for further treatment.

"The group of patients were brought in with convulsions, coma and some had stopped breathing. We placed endotracheal tubes, used ventilators, and used intensive care drugs for the seriously ill patients, then transferred them to Nghe An General Hospital for further intensive treatment," said an emergency doctor.

There are currently two less serious cases, which have also been transferred to Nghe An General Hospital. The cause of the poisoning is being investigated by the health sector in coordination with local authorities. Authorities have sealed the jar of wine to clarify the matter.