Investigation into a cluster of infant deaths following immunization: evidence for methanol intoxication

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Vaccine
Volume 20, Issues 29-30, 4 October 2002, Pages 3585-3589

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DOI: 10.1016/S0264-410X(02)00293-1
PII: S0264-410X(02)00293-1
Copyright © 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Investigation into a cluster of infant deaths following immunization: evidence for methanol intoxication

A. Darwish^a, C. E. Roth^,^,^b, P. Duclos^c, S. A. Ohn^d, A. Nassar^e, F. Mahoney^f, R. Vogt^a and R. R. Arthur^b

^a Expanded Program on Immunization, Ministry of Health and Population, Cairo, Egypt
^b Department of Communicable Diseases Surveillance and Response, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
^c Department of Vaccines and Biologicals, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
^d Division of Preventative Medicine, Ministry of Health and Population, Cairo, Egypt
^e Field Epidemiology Training Program, Ministry of Health and Population, Cairo, Egypt
^f US Naval Medical Research Unit No. 3, Cairo, Egypt

Received 3 June 2002; accepted 11 June 2002. Available online 12 July 2002.

Abstract

A cluster of infant deaths due to severe metabolic acidosis following immunization was reported in a prosperous farming village in Egypt. Fears that more deaths might occur, and of a deleterious effect on national immunization programs prompted an urgent investigation by national and international partners. The deaths, and other previously unrecognized illness following immunization, were associated with excessive topical application of methanol. Methanol was employed as an anti-pyretic and anti-inflammatory agent following injections. Fear of adverse reactions to vaccine had encouraged increasing use of methanol for these purposes. Local physicians and nurses were unaware of the toxicity of methanol and did not consider it in the differential diagnosis, and thus did not offer appropriate life-saving therapy. The interaction of traditional practices and modern medical interventions can have clinically important consequences, and should be considered when programs are introduced and as they are monitored.

Corresponding author. Fax: +41-22-791-4878; email: rothc@who.int

	This Document
		Abstract
		Full Text + Links
		PDF (57 K)

Vaccine
Volume 20, Issues 29-30, 4 October 2002, Pages 3585-3589

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