Latest news with #BrettSummerell
ABC News
15 hours ago
- Health
- ABC News
Spread of death cap mushrooms sparks health warning in NSW
People in New South Wales are being warned against eating wild mushrooms following the spread of death cap mushrooms in the state. NSW Health and local councils have detected the poisonous fungi spreading in Sydney, the Southern Highlands and southern NSW. It follows two years of surveillance by the health department and councils after an initial detection of the mushrooms in the state's south. Death cap mushrooms, also known as Amanita phalloides, can be fatal if consumed. Brett Summerell, chief scientist at the Botanic Gardens of Sydney, said the rise could be attributed to a spread in where they are being found and "particularly good rainfall" helping growth conditions. "I certainly think that people are more interested in foraging for wild mushrooms," Dr Summerell said. "That results in people heading out into the bush or into paddocks or whatever, thinking they know what they're getting and not really knowing what they're getting." Last year, 23 people were hospitalised for eating mushrooms. Two of these hospitalisations were children under the age of five. The NSW Poisons Information Centre also responded to 363 calls for exposures to wild mushrooms in NSW and ACT that same year. This was an increase of 26 per cent compared to 2023. There have been 190 calls so far in 2025. Genevieve Adamo, a senior specialist in poisons information at the NSW Poisons Information Centre, said death cap mushrooms can be lethal. "Symptoms of mushroom poisoning can sometimes be delayed, but early treatment is vital to health outcomes," she said. Consumption of the fungi can lead to vomiting and diarrhoea. In severe cases, eating the mushrooms could result in liver, kidney damage or death. Ms Adamo recommended parents with young children remove any wild mushrooms growing in their yard. Dr Summerell urged people to not forage or eat wild mushrooms because it was "quite difficult" to tell the "good ones from the bad ones". He said cooking poisonous mushrooms also did not make them safe to consume. Dr Summerell does not believe foraging is likely linked to cost-of-living concerns due to the locations being difficult to get to and high transport costs to get there. "I think it is more likely people have an interest … thinking they're going to get something exotic and particular — flavours and tastes that they're unlikely to get [elsewhere]," he said. "The level of interest has increased both for good and bad reasons, and people are wanting to have these experiences. "Which if it works out is fine, but if you pick the wrong thing it's definitely not going to be the case."
The Guardian
15 hours ago
- Health
- The Guardian
Surge in death cap mushrooms in NSW and SA as scientists warn some deadly fungi look like supermarket varieties
New South Wales and South Australia residents have been warned to stay away from wild mushrooms after a surge in the detection of highly poisonous death caps, including in Sydney. Amanita phalloides, commonly known as death cap mushrooms, have been found growing in Sydney, the southern highlands, southern NSW and the Adelaide hills after high rainfall, health officials say. . They warn that children are particularly at risk. NSW Health did not disclose exact areas where the death caps had been found, so people would not seek them out. The chief scientist at the Botanic Gardens of Sydney, Prof Brett Summerell, said some poisonous varieties could look 'just like a mushroom you'd buy from the supermarket', making them extremely dangerous to forage. 'They're usually associated with the roots of oak trees and exotics, as well as cooler areas,' he said. 'In Sydney we've found them in areas with established trees.' It is estimated that half a death cap mushroom can kill an adult, and the species has caused 90% of the world's mushroom-related fatalities. Last year 23 people were hospitalised for the toxic effect of ingested mushrooms in NSW and the Australian Capital Territory, including two children under five. Sign up for Guardian Australia's breaking news email Amid coverage of the high-profile Victorian mushroom trial, Summerell said there had been a rise in people uploading sightings on websites like iNaturalist, where users identify plants and other living organisms. 'People are taking more notice of mushrooms,' he said. 'The notoriety helps to get people interested.' Originating in Europe, death caps were first confirmed to be growing in Australia in the 1960s, initially in Canberra and then Melbourne in the 1970s. The species has spread to Asia, southern Africa and the Americas, probably on the roots of imported trees. Wild mushrooms typically grow from late summer to early winter in wet and damp weather. Summerell said as oak trees were generally propagated in Victoria, they could have been transported to NSW that way, or grown undetected. 'After the 2019/2020 fires, there's been year after year of intense rain, so there may have been a combination of good mushroom seasons and propagation,' he said. The NSW Poisons Information Centre (PIC) said it had responded to 363 calls for exposure to wild mushrooms across NSW and the ACT in 2024, up 26% from 2023. In the year to 31 May 2025, there had been 190 calls related to wild mushroom exposure. Sign up to Breaking News Australia Get the most important news as it breaks after newsletter promotion Most cases involved symptoms of poisoning, the medical director of NSW PIC, Dr Darren Roberts said. More than half (196) of calls in 2024 related to children under five who had ingested mushrooms while playing outside in NSW and the ACT. The SA PIC took 100 mushroom-related calls last year, with 23 hospitalisations. Almost half of calls related to children under five. Roberts said the volume of calls about young children was a 'concern'. 'Wild mushrooms can pop up overnight, so it is really important parents check any outdoor spaces where their child plays and remove wild mushrooms as they appear.' Genevieve Adamo, a senior specialist at the NSW centre, said symptoms of mushroom poisoning included stomach cramps, vomiting and diarrhoea. At least 10 deaths in Australia have been attributed to death caps, including a 98-year-old Melbourne woman who picked them from her garden in 2024 and three lunch guests in Leongatha, Victoria, in 2023. Adamo said the onset of symptoms could occur up to 24 hours after ingestion, depending on the type and amount eaten. Early treatment was 'vital' to survival, she said. 'As young children have a tendency to put things in their mouths, they can be at risk,' she said. 'Watch your children … especially around large trees in parks or your garden at home where mushrooms may grow.' If you worried that mushroom poisoning may have occurred, do not wait for symptoms to appear. Call the Poisons Information Centre immediately on 13 11 26
News.com.au
17 hours ago
- Health
- News.com.au
Residents warned after toxic mushrooms detected
A deadly mushroom with no known antidote has been found growing in parts of NSW, prompting urgent warnings from health authorities. Amanita phalloides, commonly known as death cap mushrooms, have recently been identified in Sydney, the Southern Highlands and southern NSW. NSW Health is urging residents not to pick or eat wild mushrooms, warning that even a small amount of the highly toxic variety can be fatal. NSW Poisons Information Centre senior specialist Genevieve Adamo said consuming even a small amount could be fatal. 'Symptoms of mushroom poisoning can sometimes be delayed, but early treatment is vital to health outcomes,' Ms Adamo said. 'Initial symptoms may include vomiting and diarrhoea, but in severe cases, it can lead to liver and kidney damage or even death.' Last year, 23 people were hospitalised in NSW due to mushroom poisoning, including two children under the age of five. The NSW Poisons Information Centre also responded to 363 calls related to wild mushroom exposure in NSW and the ACT in 2024, a 26 per cent rise on the previous year. As of May 31 this year, 190 calls had already been received. Botanic Gardens of Sydney chief scientist Brett Summerell warned that foragers should not trust their ability to identify edible mushrooms in the wild. 'There is no easy or reliable way to identify if a wild mushroom is edible or poisonous,' Professor Summerell said. 'Cooking poisonous mushrooms does not make them safe to eat. 'You should only eat mushrooms you buy from a reputable grocery store, supermarket or produce market.' Health authorities say the risks are particularly high for young children, who may unknowingly put mushrooms in their mouths while playing outside. 'Watch your children when they are playing outside, especially around large trees in parks or your garden at home where mushrooms may grow,' Ms Adamo said. 'Remove any mushrooms that may grow to keep your children safe.' NSW Health and local councils have been conducting ongoing surveillance since the initial detection of death caps in the region two years ago. Anyone who suspects they or someone else has consumed a wild mushroom should immediately call the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26, even if symptoms are not yet present. In an emergency, call triple-0 or visit the nearest hospital emergency department. If possible, bring a sample of the mushroom or a photo to assist with identification.
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Woman's 'strange' find sprouting from backyard lawn: 'Smells awful'
An Aussie woman is in awe after stumbling upon an 'amazing' discovery in her backyard. The local, who has lived at the property on the NSW Mid North Coast for 'many years', said she was pottering around her home last week when she spotted an 'unusual' and pungent growth sprouting from the grass. 'This amazing bridal veil stinkhorn fungus popped up overnight on my back lawn,' she posted online alongside a photo of the bell-shaped brown and white organism in her Old Bar garden. In all her time living in the area, the woman said she had 'never seen one before'. And it turns out she's not the only local to come across the bizarre looking species, with one person claiming they 'saw a bunch of them' recently. 'They are popping up all over the place, very strange,' another added. 'I've had about five so far. Very unusual things aren't they?' someone else said. Others mentioned the fungi's strong smell, noting the blowflies seemed to 'love it'. 🌱 Warning as 'extremely dangerous' growths appear in gardens 🪵 Mysterious find growing in forest concerns Aussies 🩸 Bizarre backyard find dripping 'blood' stumps locals The bridal veil stinkhorn features a delicate lacy 'skirt' and can be found growing in woodlands and gardens on Australia's east coast, and some parts of the Northern Territory. 'They very much come up in response to rain — so the conditions over the past couple of weeks have been ideal, and there are lots of different species of fungi appearing all over the north coast,' Professor Brett Summerell, chief scientist at the Botanic Gardens of Sydney, told Yahoo News Australia. 'They hatch from egg shaped structures underground in the soil, will be present for a few days and then just as quickly disintegrate and return to the soil. They are important for the ecosystem as they help break down organic matter and return the nutrients to the soil.' Professor Summerell described the species' smell as 'awful' yet very effective at attracting flies to spread the spores, 'which they do very effectively'. The scent is often likened to rotting meat or sewage. 'They don't appear to be poisonous — but who or what would eat them — dogs sometimes like to rub against them because of the smell! But no harm seems to happen.' The numerous stinkhorn species come in various shapes but all produce the smelly brownish slime. Previously, a lantern stinkhorn fungus shaped like a tongue was found in a Queensland woman's yard, leaving other Aussies 'creeped out'. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Gardeners share bizarre microwave act as pest ravages Aussie backyards
Invasive pests aren't the first thing you think of putting in the microwave but that's exactly what some Aussie gardeners have been doing this week, in a rather peculiar yet growing trend to tackle the problem. A photo of what looks like green peas or curled up leaves was shared online by one woman overnight with the resident, who lives in Perth's northeast suburb Duncraig, joking that it was a pleasant day "when the beautiful aroma of microwaved gall wasp fills your home". Gall wasps are a native Aussie insect that originate from northern NSW and Queensland but are now established in many Perth suburbs after successfully spreading across the country, with the pest renowned for their ability to spread quickly and easily. "I have done the same yesterday," one local responded after the photo was shared in a gardening group. "Same!" another said, sharing their own proof of their microwave remedy. Gall wasps lay their eggs in new shoots of citrus trees, and the tree develops distinctive galls that help the larvae grow before adult wasps emerge. The process negatively impacts the tree's health and its fruit. "These wasps can reduce fruit production and can make citrus trees quite sick," Professor Brett Summerell, Chief Scientist at Botanic Gardens of Sydney previously told Yahoo News. Pruning is a suitable control method to sustain the tree but burning can be another way to mitigate any risk of spread from the the wasp-infected offcuts — and this is where the microwave comes in. It's a method another Perth resident opted for last year when he "nuked [the offcuts] in the microwave" for five minutes to ensure the pests didn't spread anywhere else in his garden. If left untreated, the galls created to house the larvae on the tree can disrupt nutrient and water flow which weakens the tree and, subsequently, fruit production. While there is logic to the burning of offshoots in the microwave, it's not a recommended control method for gall wasps. Instead, WA's Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development suggest pruning out the new galls before winter and offshoots can be put in green waste or general rubbish bins as the larvae inside the galls will not survive at that time of year once removed from the tree. 😷 Residents urged to act now as 'millions' of pests threaten to take over 🔥 The quiet catastrophe unfolding in outback Australia 🌱 Aussies warned over garden pest that can 'never be fully removed' The timing of fertilising trees can also hinder or exacerbate larvae development and the department urges gardeners to avoid doing so in winter or spring as it can promote excessive tree growth in the spring that can help gall wasps thrive. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
