Four people passed away and many have been left with vision problems after drinking hand sanitizers.

US officials are now warning the public not to drink the disinfectant as fifteen people were rushed to hospital in New Mexico and Arizona, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported.

Two women and 13 men aged between 21 and 65 had taken a hand sanitizer containing methanol. Four of them died while three were left with visual problems. As of July 8, four of them were still in the hospital.

According to Sky News, one of the patients started experiencing ‘sudden visual impairment’ after consuming ‘an unknown quantity of alcohol-based hand sanitiser during the few days before seeking medical care.’

It was then found that he had high levels of methanol and required to undergo dialysis. Even though he recovered, he was left with almost ‘total vision loss.’

An investigation had been launched into people drinking hand sanitizer. In New Mexico and Arizona, there were 62 calls to poisons centers about methanol poisoning from May 1 to June 30.

According to the report, seizures, shortness of breath, visual problems, gastrointestinal complaints, and mental state changes were the reasons why people sought medical attention.

FDA warns people not to drink alcohol-based hand sanitizer. “Severe methanol poisoning resulting in permanent disability or death can occur after swallowing alcohol-based hand sanitiser containing methanol,” the report reads.

Officials also urge the public to make sure their hand sanitizer doesn’t contain methanol. It is recommended to dispose of products that have it in hazardous waste containers and not pouring or flushing it down the drain.

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