Ecuador observes 3-day alcohol ban

Quito - Following the deaths of 21 people from alcohol poisoning, an emergency 72-hour prohibition of alcohol was enacted by the Ecuadorian government.

According to CNN, the temporary ban was instated after alcohol poisoning cases were reported across the country. The ban is not unusual, as some Middle Eastern countries such as Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia currently have prohibition enacted. However, the circumstances under which it occurred are out of the orindary. As part of the ban, the Ecuadorian police seized 208 liters (55 gallons) of allegedly "contaminated" liquor. This measure came after more than 100 people were hospitalized over the weekend for drinking alcohol that was suspected to have been tainted with methanol. Methanol, also known as wood alcohol, is highly toxic to humans and is difficult to differentiate from ethanol (consumable alcohol) due to similar properties. Symptoms of methanol poisoning include blurred vision, nausea and respiratory issues, says the Christian Post.