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News.com.au
a day 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.
Eyewitness News
01-05-2025
- Health
- Eyewitness News
National Poisons Information Helpline appeals to parents to potassium permanganate away from children
CAPE TOWN - The National Poisons Information Helpline reports that it's received more than 1,000 potassium permanganate-related calls between 2015 and purple-coloured chemical, more commonly known as Condy's Crystal, can be extremely harmful if National Poisons Information Helpline is appealing to parents, caregivers and guardians to keep this harmful substance out of children's of the Poisons Information Centre, Carine Marks, said that the chemical could cause vomiting, internal bleeding and in serious cases, organ damage, or even death. "Potassium permanganate, also known as Condy's Crystal, is a dark purple chemical used to treat skin conditions, disinfect wounds and purify water. It's widely used in households and traditional medicines, especially in rural areas, and is easily available over the counter."
Yahoo
17-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Warning as 'extremely dangerous' growths appear in Aussie gardens: 'You feel worse and worse'
This autumn food safety authorities have issued a warning that a dangerous invasive species of fungus is flourishing in Aussie forests, backyards and gardens. While death caps appear similar to edible mushrooms, eating just a quarter of a teaspoon of one can kill a healthy adult. The Food Safety Information Council has noticed an increase in foraging for wild foods for two reasons. With speciality mushrooms costing up to $250 a kilo, some are doing it to avoid paying premium prices for the fungi. Others have been encouraged by online communities dedicated to foraging. But the group's CEO Lydia Buchtmann has told Yahoo News that identifying what's harmless and what's 'extremely dangerous' is a near-impossible task which even stumps horticultural experts. 'The poison immediately gets into your liver, then into your kidneys, and then goes around in a circle through your bloodstream, making you feel worse and worse,' she said. 'There is an antidote, but you have to be really quick in getting to hospital. It can help, but most of them only keep a couple of doses because it's quite expensive and doesn't last long. So perhaps if you're the third person who turns up, then you're probably less lucky than the first two.' Death caps have been documented in Canberra, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia. They likely hitched a ride to Australia on the roots of oak trees that were planted by early colonists and while they can be seen throughout the year, they flourish when warm weather follows heavy rain. 🏡 Fate of 80-year-old tree to be decided in days after neighbourhood uproar 🔎 US tourist Sam Jones who snatched baby wombat 'accepts accountability' 🦈 Bali diver's face off with great white shark In May last year, a 98-year-old Victorian woman died, and her son became ill, after they ate death cap mushrooms picked from her garden. In April 2022, a child was hospitalised in the ACT after consuming a death cap mushroom, and a decade earlier two people died on New Year's Eve after eating them at a dinner party. Deaths from other types of wild mushrooms in Australia are rare. But Cortinarius (webcap) and Galerina species are poisonous if ingested. Another culprit is the ghost mushroom, which is often mistaken for oyster mushrooms, and the yellow stainer looks very similar to a field mushroom. It's not just foragers the Food Safety Information Council is concerned about. Death caps can also spring up in backyards where they pose a danger to children, who love to put things in their mouths, and they also present a danger to pets. Its advice for anyone who suspects they or a family member has eaten a poisonous mushroom is to seek immediate medical treatment. 'Don't wait for symptoms to occur but go to a hospital emergency department taking the mushroom with you if you can,' it said in a statement. 'You can also contact the Poisons Information Centre from anywhere in Australia on 13 11 26 (24 hours a day 7 days a week).' Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? 🐊🦘😳 Get our new newsletter showcasing the week's best stories.
