06-05-2025
Health warning issued for Victorians as deadly wild mushrooms sprout across state this autumn
Victorians are being warned to stay away from wild mushrooms as deadly varieties flourish in the cooler, wetter autumn months.
A health alert issued by the Victorian Department of Health on Tuesday highlighted the danger, warning that eating just one death cap mushroom can kill an adult.
The death cap is the same species allegedly involved in the 2023 poisoning incident linked to Erin Patterson, in which three relatives died and another was left critically ill.
What makes these mushrooms especially dangerous is that symptoms may not appear until hours or days after consumption, giving a false sense of safety before the toxins begin to cause severe damage.
Experts also warn that cooking, peeling, or drying these mushrooms does nothing to remove the deadly poison.
Even handling them can pose risks, especially for young children and pets who may mistake them for something edible.
There is no reliable home test to tell the difference between edible and poisonous mushrooms.
Which wild mushrooms are dangerous?
As many may know, death cap mushrooms (Amanita phalloides) are extremely poisonous, and eating just one could be fatal.
Their caps range from 4cm to 16cm wide and vary in colour from pale yellow to green or olive brown.
Underneath, the gills are white, and the base of the stem has a distinctive cup-shaped membrane.
They're commonly found growing under oak trees.
If someone eats one, they might get stomach pain, feel sick, vomit or have diarrhoea within six to 24 hours.
'These symptoms can then settle, giving a false sense of recovery, however the toxin will have entered the body's circulation and started causing serious harm, particularly to the liver,' said Dr Christian McGrath, the department's chief health officer.
McGrath added that two to four days after eating the mushroom, people can suffer permanent liver damage, and possibly kidney failure, which can ultimately lead to death.
Another dangerous variety is the yellow-staining mushroom (Agaricus xanthodermus), which is responsible for most mushroom poisonings in Victoria.
It closely resembles safe varieties like store-bought mushrooms, or cultivated mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus), as well as edible wild varieties like the field mushroom (Agaricus campestris).
McGrath warned that in urban areas, yellow-staining mushrooms are actually more common than edible ones.
They often grow in clusters on lawns and in gardens.
When scratched or damaged, the cap and stem turn yellow before fading to brown.
They also tend to give off a chemical-like smell.
If eaten, they can cause symptoms similar to those caused by death caps – stomach pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.
The severity depends on how much is consumed.
Toxicologist Dr Jonty Karro, emergency department director at St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, told many other mushroom varieties can also be dangerous, with most causing gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and stomach cramps.
He added that some species can lead to far more serious effects, including kidney failure, seizures, blood disorders, muscle breakdown, hallucinations, and other toxic syndromes.
How to stay safe?
'Unless you are an expert, do not pick and eat wild mushrooms in Victoria,' McGrath said.
Even for experts, it is strongly discouraged due to the high risk of misidentifying toxic species.
'It is often people who think they know what to look for or have foraged for similar appearing mushrooms in other environments or countries that come to harm,' Karro said.
'Any mushrooms bought in the supermarket or grocery store are 100 per cent safe,' Karro added.
The Department of Health advises removing any mushrooms growing in home gardens to prevent young children or pets from accidentally eating them.
If you plan to eat wild mushrooms — which authorities strongly advise against — keep a sample and take a photo to help experts identify it in case of poisoning.
If you suspect someone has consumed a toxic mushroom, do not wait for symptoms to occur before seeking medical attention.
Karro said there is often a delay to the onset of symptoms.
'The toxins are rapidly absorbed following ingestion and begin damaging the liver and kidneys but without causing immediate symptoms,' he said.
Anyone in Australia can call the Victorian Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26 for advice (not in emergencies).
If someone is struggling to breathe, has collapsed, is having a seizure, or is experiencing anaphylaxis, call 000 immediately for an ambulance.
