Short Information on Methanol Outbreak in the Czech Republic in the year 2012

This contribution reports briefly on the large methanol outbreak in the Czech Republic (CR) in autumn 2012. The first case was registered in September 2012 in Havířov. The source was unknown at that time, but it was connected with the illegal production and sale of adulterated spirits. More than 130 cases of methanol intoxication have been reported during September 2012 – April 2013. 44 people died, about 1/5 of intoxicated patients have suffered by sequels of intoxication and their number have been increasing. Moreover, the samples of methanol can be found in some illegal stores and in some households up to now