The Chief Health Officer has issued a warning for people not to eat or pick wild mushrooms following reports of the Death Cap variety being sighted growing in the Territory.
Dr Paul Kelly said Death Cap mushrooms can be lethal if eaten.
“It is crucial for people to understand that all parts of the mushroom are poisonous and cooking them does not make them safe to eat,” Dr Kelly said.
“Death Cap mushrooms are known to grow in the ACT. They often grow near established oak trees and can be found when there is wet weather.”
Dr Kelly warned the community not to touch the mushrooms with bare hands and to keep children and animals away from them.
“If you think you have eaten a Death Cap mushroom, seek urgent medical attention at a hospital emergency department and take any remaining mushrooms to the hospital for identification,” he said.
“Symptoms of poisoning generally occur six-to-24 hours or more after eating mushrooms, and include pains, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.”
He said the sooner treatment begins, the better the patient’s chances of survival.
There have been four fatalities and a number of poisonings associated with Death Cap mushrooms in the ACT since 2002.
Dr Kelly urged Canberrans and anyone visiting Canberra not to pick or eat any wild mushrooms, and to purchase all mushrooms from a reputable supplier.
