The ACT Health Directorate has issued a warning on the re-emergence of Death Cap mushrooms in Canberra.
The Directorate said recent wet weather meant the mushrooms, which can be lethal if ingested, had been sighted in Canberra.
“They often grow near established oak trees and can be found when there is wet weather,” the Directorate said.
“It is very hard to tell a death cap mushroom apart from other types of mushrooms,” it said.
“It can be extremely difficult for even experienced collectors to distinguish Death Cap mushrooms from an edible mushroom.”
The Directorate said people should not touch, pick or eat any wild mushrooms.
“Eating even a small amount of a death cap mushroom can cause death,” it said.
“Symptoms of poisoning generally occur 6 to 24 hours or more after ingestion of mushrooms and include stomach pains, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.”
It said symptoms may subside for one to two days, which can give a false impression of recovery.
“However, by this stage the toxin will have already caused serious liver damage.”
The Directorate said liver failure and death may occur from eating Death Cap mushrooms.
It urged anyone to report sightings of the mushrooms in public areas to Access Canberra on 13 22 81.
The Health Directorate’s one-page fact sheet on Death Cap mushrooms can be accessed at this PS News link.
