COSTA RICA’S Ministry of Health said a total of 59 people have consumed tainted alcohol as the death toll due to the liquor rose to 25 in the Central American tourist destination.

According to a press release on the agency’s website Sunday, 19 men and six women have died since June. The Ministry of Health said it had closed 10 establishments and seized more than 55,000 containers of alcohol it said were laced with methanol, a colorless, poisonous alcohol found in antifreeze.

Adding methanol to distilled beverages allows sellers to increase the volume of liquid, as well as its potential potency, according to SafeProof, an organization that lobbies against counterfeit alcohol.

Earlier, the ministry said affected brands included Guaro Montano, Guaro Gran Apache, Aguardiente Estrella, Aguardiente Baron Rojo, Aguardiente Timbuka and Molotov Aguardiente. In its latest press release, the brands Guaro Chonete, Guaro Cuerazo, Guaro Sacheto, Red Star Brandy, Brandy Red Barnacle, Brandy Timbuka and Brandy Molotov were added to the list of those that should be avoided.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, symptoms of methanol poisoning include drowsiness, confusion, headache, dizziness, the inability to coordinate muscle movement, nausea, vomiting, mania, coma, seizure as well as heart and respiratory failure. (SD-Agencies)