Latest news with #HemlockWaterDropwort
Belfast Telegraph
15-05-2025
- Belfast Telegraph
Council issues warning to dog owners over ‘poisonous parsnip' at NI beauty spot
Ards and North Down Borough Council have warned dog owners to be vigilant after the discovery of 'poisonous parsnip'. Also known as Hemlock Water Dropwort, the toxic plant has been found washed up on the shores of Ballyholme Beach. It follows the death of a dog in Ballyholme this week, which the council has said has not been confirmed as being the result of 'poisonous parsnip'. The dog, a beagle named Betsy belonged to local woman Jill Marley, who has raised concerns over the condition of the beach. The council issued the warning about the toxic plant in a post on social media on Wednesday. 'We are aware of the recent death of a dog after ingesting an unknown toxin at Ballyholme,' said a council spokesperson. 'This has not been confirmed as being the result of Hemlock Water Dropwort/Poisonous Parsnip, and we would like to pass our condolences to Betsy's owner. 'As there are some naturally occurring algae, as well as seaweeds that regularly wash up on our beaches, that can be toxic to dogs, we would advise all owners to take care when walking. 'We encourage the public to be vigilant when walking on our beaches, particularly with young children and dogs. 'Please keep a watchful eye, making sure they don't eat anything they shouldn't. 'If you think your dog may have ingested 'poisonous parsnip' it is advised to seek veterinary advice as soon as possible,' they added. Betsy is believed to have ingested toxic seaweed which may have led to her death. Jill said she had avoided taking Betsy to Ballyholme beach in recent months due to the 'really bad stench'. But as a one-off, Jill decided to take Betsy and her mum's Labrador to the shore for a short while. 'The Labrador pulled me and got off the lead. So, I kind of just thought, 'I'll let them both off, let them have a run'. 'Betsy grabbed a bit of seaweed and she'd eaten it by the time I got a hold of her and put her back on the lead." Betsy fell ill overnight following her trip to the beach, and it wasn't until the following morning that Jill was able to reach an emergency vet. Despite showing signs of returning to health, Betsy would pass away with the vet later telling Jill that toxins may have damaged her internally. Betsy's passing came on the day of her daughter Emily's 11th birthday.
Scottish Sun
13-05-2025
- Health
- Scottish Sun
Urgent beach warning as two Brits poisoned on UK island & rushed to A&E after eating dangerous plant with NO antidote
The pair were found with 'elevated pulses' HIGHLY TOXIC Urgent beach warning as two Brits poisoned on UK island & rushed to A&E after eating dangerous plant with NO antidote AN URGENT beach warning has been issued after two Brits were poisoned on a UK island and rushed to hospital. The pair has eaten a plant that contained a poison with no antidote available. Advertisement 3 Two people who were suffering from Hemlock poisoning were rescued Credit: Alamy 3 Roots of Hemlock Water Dropwort are considered potentially fatal Credit: Alamy 3 The pair were rescued from Sully Island on May 3 Credit: Alamy Emergency services rushed an island off the coast of Wales on May 3 after reports of a couple who had been poisoned. The Brits, who were on Sully Island off the Vale of Glamorgan, were thought to have ingested Hemlock - a highly poisonous plant. Sully Island is a small, uninhabited island near Barry and is about 450 metres long. The island is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest, home to plenty of diverse and rare plants. Advertisement It offers stunning views of the Welsh coastline and no permanent population, which meant rescue had to come from elsewhere. The RNLI's inshore lifeboats (ILBs) were deployed from Barry Dock to the eastern side of the tidal island. The rescue charity said: "Barry Dock RNLI's inshore lifeboat was tasked by HM Coastguard on Saturday, May 3, to locate, assess, and medevac two casualties on Sully Island reported to have potentially ingested hemlock. "The volunteer crew were advised the casualties, experienced foragers, were on the eastern beach and were located quickly. Advertisement "On arrival the casualties were showing signs of anxiety so the crew immediately fitted them with lifejackets and embarked both onto the ILB for immediate transport to the mainland." Hemlock, also known as hemlock water-dropwort and hemlock root, is common in shallow water and appears like a cluster of white flowers. Urgent warning over deadly plant worse than Japanese Knotweed... do you have it near you It's often found near rivers or fresh water but can be washed up on beaches after storms. Beachgoers in Britain have been warned keep their pooches on a lead as a precautionary measure in certain spots, with four dogs having died from the plant in the Newquay, Cornwall. Advertisement Thankfully for the foragers, the RNLI confirmed that after the rescue, the pair on Sully Island made a full recovery. They said: 'Once ashore they were handed to Barry coastguard rescue team (CRT) who identified elevated pulse rates. "Oxygen was prepared from the ILB's supply with an RNLI crew member staying to assist the CRT with care. 'The officer in charge remained in contact with the ambulance service while the crew monitored the casualties. Advertisement "As the tide fell the ILB could not remain on scene so with their condition stable and a plan in place Barry Dock ILB stood down returned to station and was made ready for service while the casualties were taken to A&E.' SYMPTOMS OF HEMLOCK POISONING Hemlock poisoning will show symptoms after around 30 minutes, or up to 3 hours. The plant can cause a painful rash or burning on the eyes if touched. Ingesting any part of the plant can lead to poisoning which can lead to respiratory failure. Advertisement Symptoms include: Trembling Burning sensation in digestive tract Increased salivation Dilated pupils Muscle pain and weakness Decreased heart rate Loss of speech Convulsions Unconsciousness If you believe you have symptoms, you should seek medical attention immediately. If possible, take a sample of the plant if it's safe do to so by using plastic gloves - or take photos. Do not try and make the infected throw up. Advertisement
The Irish Sun
13-05-2025
- Health
- The Irish Sun
Urgent beach warning as two Brits poisoned on UK island & rushed to A&E after eating dangerous plant with NO antidote
AN URGENT beach warning has been issued after two Brits were poisoned on a UK island and rushed to hospital. The pair has eaten a plant that contained a poison with no antidote available. 3 Two people who were suffering from Hemlock poisoning were rescued Credit: Alamy 3 Roots of Hemlock Water Dropwort are considered potentially fatal Credit: Alamy 3 The pair were rescued from Sully Island on May 3 Credit: Alamy Emergency services rushed an island off the coast of Wales on May 3 after reports of a couple who had been poisoned. The Brits, who were on Sully Island off the Vale of Glamorgan, were thought to have ingested Hemlock - a highly poisonous plant. Sully Island is a small, uninhabited island near Barry and is about 450 metres long. The island is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest, home to plenty of diverse and rare plants. Read more It offers stunning views of the Welsh coastline and no permanent population, which meant rescue had to come from elsewhere. The RNLI's inshore lifeboats (ILBs) were deployed from Barry Dock to the eastern side of the tidal island. The rescue charity said: "Barry Dock RNLI's inshore lifeboat was tasked by HM Coastguard on Saturday, May 3, to locate, assess, and medevac two casualties on Sully Island reported to have potentially ingested hemlock. "The volunteer crew were advised the casualties, experienced foragers, were on the eastern beach and were located quickly. Most read in The Sun "On arrival the casualties were showing signs of anxiety so the crew immediately fitted them with lifejackets and embarked both onto the ILB for immediate transport to the mainland." Hemlock, also known as hemlock water-dropwort and hemlock root, is common in shallow water and appears like a cluster of white flowers. Urgent warning over deadly plant worse than Japanese Knotweed... do you have it near you It's often found near rivers or fresh water but can be washed up on beaches after storms. Beachgoers in Britain have been warned keep their pooches on a lead as a precautionary measure in certain spots, with four dogs having died from the plant in the Newquay, Cornwall. Thankfully for the foragers, the RNLI confirmed that after the rescue, the pair on Sully Island made a full recovery. They said: 'Once ashore they were handed to Barry coastguard rescue team (CRT) who identified elevated pulse rates. "Oxygen was prepared from the ILB's supply with an RNLI crew member staying to assist the CRT with care. 'The officer in charge remained in contact with the ambulance service while the crew monitored the casualties. "As the tide fell the ILB could not remain on scene so with their condition stable and a plan in place Barry Dock ILB stood down returned to station and was made ready for service while the casualties were taken to A&E.' SYMPTOMS OF HEMLOCK POISONING Hemlock poisoning will show symptoms after around 30 minutes, or up to 3 hours. The plant can cause a painful rash or burning on the eyes if touched. Ingesting any part of the plant can lead to poisoning which can lead to respiratory failure. Symptoms include: Trembling Burning sensation in digestive tract Increased salivation Dilated pupils Muscle pain and weakness Decreased heart rate Loss of speech Convulsions Unconsciousness If you believe you have symptoms, you should seek medical attention immediately. If possible, take a sample of the plant if it's safe do to so by using plastic gloves - or take photos. Do not try and make the infected throw up. What Are Hemlock Roots? Hemlock Roots may look like a "beautiful" flower, but they The plant, which looks like a parsnip, could be lethal to humans and animals. Hemlock could easily kill if it was eaten as it contains fatal toxins. The toxins grow naturally and include coniine and a gamma-coniceine, which cause muscular paralysis. Anyone who ingests the harmful plant could end up with respiratory failure - which could lead to death. Only a tiny amount of Hemlock can prove fatal to a human or to livestock. It usually grows in wet, marshy places and is often confused for its non-poisonous lookalikes such as wild carrots or parsnips. If accidentally eaten, symptoms of poisoning include seizures, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, tremors, confusion, weakness or dizziness. The plant was previously found on a beach in Cornwall following a storm.
