An American is among at least five tourists who have died in recent days after visiting a town in Laos where tainted alcohol is suspected to be the cause behind a series of methanol poisoning cases.
So far, officials in Australia have confirmed that anAustralian teenager has died and her friend is in critical condition after consuming the alcoholic drinks in the small, landlocked nation in Southeast Asia. The British government confirmed Thursday that a U.K. national also died of suspected methanol poisoning in Laos, the Associated Press and BBC reported.
In addition to the American, two Danish tourists have also died after visiting Vang Vieng, a town popular with foreign backpackers – although officials have not determined their causes of death.
Reports about the poisonings in Vang Vieng began to emerge last week, prompting several nations to issue travel advisories.
Australian woman dies of brain swelling from methanol-tainted alcohol
The two Australian women fell ill on Nov. 13 following a night out drinking with a group in the remote town. One of them later died from brain swelling caused by methanol, Australian officials have confirmed.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told Parliament that 19-year-old Bianca Jones died after she was evacuated from Vang Vieng for treatment in a Thai hospital. Her friend, also 19, remains hospitalized in Thailand.
Penny Wong, Australia’s foreign minister, also confirmed Jones' death in a post on Instagram.
“This is every parent’s very worst fear and a nightmare that no one should have to endure," Albanese said in his parliamentary address.
Vang Vieng is a tourist town popular among foreign backpackers and adventurers looking for nightlife and a place to stay.
The Associated Press, which spoke with the manager of hostel where the two Australian women were staying, reportedthe women became sick after taking shots of Lao vodka that staff at the offered as a show of hospitality. Staff were told by other guests that the two women were unwell after they failed to check out as planned on Nov. 13, and they arranged transport to a hospital for them, the AP reported.
Thai authorities confirmed to the Associated Press that Jones had died by “brain swelling due to high levels of methanol found in her system.”
Ingesting methanol can cause nausea, vomiting and heart or respiratory failure, accordingto the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While the clear liquid is most often found in common household cleaners, unscrupulous bars are infamous for adding the toxic chemical to drinks as a cheaper alternative to ethanol.
4 other tourists also die after visiting Laos town
It was not immediately clear whether the deaths of three other foreign travelers reported this week in Laos had been caused by the consumption of methanol.
The U.S. State Department said in a statement emailed to multiple outlets only that an American had died in Vang Vieng without offering further details. USA TODAY was not immediately able to reach the State Department for comment Thursday.
Officials have not revealed the victim’s identity.
Denmark’s Foreign Ministry has also confirmed to media that two of its citizens had died in Laos without directly linking the deaths to methanol poisoning.
Britain's Foreign Office said Thursday it was supporting the family of a British woman who died in Laos and that it was in contact with local authorities. The woman was identified by British media outlets as 28-year-old Simone White, a lawyer.
Nations issue travel advisories
Several other people are also suspected of falling ill after consuming the tainted alcoholic drinks, prompting some countries to issue travel advisories.
Australia's advisory warned of the poisonings and cautioned for travelers to "be alert to the potential risks particularly with spirit-based drinks including cocktails."
The U.K. issued atravel advisoryfor Laos on Wednesday warning of "deaths and cases of serious illness caused by alcoholic drinks containing methanol."
“You should take care if offered, particularly for free, or when buying spirit-based drinks," the advisory read. "If labels, smell or taste seem wrong then do not drink."
New Zealand has also issued a travel advisory for Laos, saying that those who believe they've consumed methanol should seek medical help.
The U.S. has not issued an updated travel advisory of its own for Laos.
Eric Lagatta covers breaking and trending news for USA TODAY. Reach him at elagatta@gannett.com
