Canberrans have been warned not to eat or pick wild mushrooms.
ACT Chief Health Officer Kerryn Coleman delivered thy warning saying the growth of Death Cap mushrooms in the ACT increased significantly in recent weeks with the onset of autumn.
“Death Cap mushroom growth has increased markedly this week, which is somewhat expected with autumn being the peak growing period,” Dr Coleman said.
“This poses a significant danger to the public,” she said.
“All parts of the Death Cap mushroom are poisonous, whether they have been cooked or not.”
Dr Coleman said Death Cap mushrooms were known to grow in areas across the Territory and while they often grew near established oak trees, they could be found where no oak trees were evident.
She warned the community not to touch wild mushrooms with bare hands and to keep children and animals away from them.
“Death Caps are easily mistaken for edible mushrooms,” she said.
“If you think you may have eaten a Death Cap mushroom, seek urgent medical attention at a hospital emergency department even if there are no symptoms; if possible, take any remaining mushrooms to the hospital for identification.”
Dr Coleman said symptoms of poisoning generally occurred six to 24 hours, or more, after eating mushrooms and included pains, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.
She said the chances of survival increased when treatment was started early.
Dr Coleman said anyone who thought they’d seen a Death Cap mushroom in a public area could report it to Access Canberra on 13 22 81.
Further information on Death Cap mushrooms can be accessed on the Health Directorate’s website at this PS News link.
