Latest news with #VictorianDepartmentofHealth
1News
27-05-2025
- 1News
Mushroom cook asks 'who died?' as police search home
Mushroom cook Erin Patterson asked police "who died?" when they arrived to search her home one week after serving up a poisonous meal to her estranged husband's family. The 50-year-old is nearing the end of her triple-murder trial in regional Victoria, over the July 2023 toxic beef Wellington lunch she prepared which led to the deaths of three people, and near death of another. Video from a police search seven days after the meal was shown to the jury on Tuesday as a detective gave evidence. Detective Sergeant Luke Farrell said he arrived at Patterson's home in Leongatha, two hours' drive southeast of Melbourne, about 11.30am on August 5. The jury was shown photos of dark-coloured, red-coloured and a multi-coloured plate in drawers and a dishwasher at the home, as well as Nagi Maehashi's RecipeTin Eats cookbook titled Dinner next to the stove. ADVERTISEMENT Farrell said he opened the cookbook and found a beef Wellington recipe on a page that was "spattered" with cooking liquids. Photos of digital scales, a Sunbeam dehydrator manual, computer hard drives and tablets found in the home were also shown to the jury. Most recipes for the dish found online contain mushrooms. (Source: He said the search concluded about 3.45pm that day but before leaving he sat down with Patterson and asked for her phone. A video of that interaction was played to the jury, where Farrell sits opposite Patterson at her dining table. "Thanks for your patience today, with the house search," he says to Patterson. He said there was only one outstanding item, her mobile phone, and asked to "have a look". ADVERTISEMENT Patterson replied "of course", handed her phone over and he then asked if a pin code was required. She replied it was either a four-digit code or a six-digit code, but could not remember "which one", and then leaned over the table to assist him with the phone. Under cross-examination by defence barrister Colin Mandy SC, the detective confirmed Patterson's two children and dog were home during the search. She "expressed surprise" at being told Heather Wilkinson had died when police arrived, he said. The detective was read transcript of a video from that day, which stated Patterson was told the search warrant was "in connection to the deaths of two people over the last couple of days". "Her response is 'who died?'" Mandy asked Farrell, to which he agreed. Earlier today, a public health adviser was cross-examined by defence over alleged changes to the information Patterson had given her during a search of Asian stores for deadly mushrooms. ADVERTISEMENT Patterson had told Victorian Department of Health senior adviser Sally Ann Atkinson she'd purchased dried mushrooms from a store in Oakleigh, Clayton or Mount Waverley in April 2023 for a pasta dish. Death cap mushrooms (file image). (Source: Atkinson claimed Patterson had changed her story, initially stating she had used some of the mushrooms in that dish, and later said she decided not to use them. "At that time it sounded like she'd given me two conflicting pieces of information," she said today. Atkinson said she was involved in public health efforts to track down mushrooms from July 31 to August 4, and said Patterson informed her on August 3 to also look at Asian stores in Glen Waverley. After the investigation, which formally concluded on August 11, a report was compiled titled "The Patterson Family Outbreak", the jury was told. Atkinson confirmed the health department found the poisoning was an "isolated incident" and the risk to public health was "very low" with no recalls of products warranted. ADVERTISEMENT It was "highly unlikely" the commercial supply chain of mushrooms had been contaminated with amatoxin, also known as death cap mushrooms, she said. Patterson has pleaded not guilty to three counts of murder, over Don and Gail Patterson and Wilkinson's deaths, and one of attempted murder. The trial before Justice Christopher Beale continues.
Perth Now
27-05-2025
- Perth Now
Mushroom cook asks 'who died?' as police search home
Mushroom cook Erin Patterson asked police "who died?" when they arrived to search her home one week after serving up a poisonous meal to her estranged husband's family. The 50-year-old is nearing the end of her triple-murder trial in regional Victoria, over the July 2023 toxic beef Wellington lunch she prepared which led to the deaths of three people, and near death of another. Video from a police search seven days after the meal was shown to the jury on Tuesday as a detective gave evidence. Detective Sergeant Luke Farrell said he arrived at Patterson's home in Leongatha, two hours' drive southeast of Melbourne, about 11.30am on August 5. The jury was shown photos of dark-coloured, red-coloured and a multi-coloured plate in drawers and a dishwasher at the home, as well as Nagi Maehashi's RecipeTin Eats cookbook titled Dinner next to the stove. Det Farrell said he opened the cookbook and found a beef Wellington recipe on a page that was "spattered" with cooking liquids. Photos of digital scales, a Sunbeam dehydrator manual, computer hard drives and tablets found in the home were also shown to the jury. He said the search concluded about 3.45pm that day but before leaving he sat down with Patterson and asked for her phone. A video of that interaction was played to the jury, where Det Farrell sits opposite Patterson at her dining table. "Thanks for your patience today, with the house search," he says to Patterson. He said there was only one outstanding item, her mobile phone, and asked to "have a look". Patterson replied "of course", handed her phone over and he then asked if a pin code was required. She replied it was either a four-digit code or a six-digit code, but could not remember "which one", and then leaned over the table to assist him with the phone. Under cross-examination by defence barrister Colin Mandy SC, the detective confirmed Patterson's two children and dog were home during the search. She "expressed surprise" at being told Heather Wilkinson had died when police arrived, he said. The detective was read transcript of a video from that day, which stated Patterson was told the search warrant was "in connection to the deaths of two people over the last couple of days". "Her response is 'who died?'" Mr Mandy asked Det Farrell, to which he agreed. Earlier on Tuesday, a public health adviser was cross-examined by defence over alleged changes to the information Patterson had given her during a search of Asian stores for deadly mushrooms. Patterson had told Victorian Department of Health senior adviser Sally Ann Atkinson she'd purchased dried mushrooms from a store in Oakleigh, Clayton or Mount Waverley in April 2023 for a pasta dish. Ms Atkinson claimed Patterson had changed her story, initially stating she had used some of the mushrooms in that dish, and later said she decided not to use them. "At that time it sounded like she'd given me two conflicting pieces of information," she said on Tuesday. Ms Atkinson said she was involved in public health efforts to track down mushrooms from July 31 to August 4, and said Patterson informed her on August 3 to also look at Asian stores in Glen Waverley. After the investigation, which formally concluded on August 11, a report was compiled titled "The Patterson Family Outbreak", the jury was told. Ms Atkinson confirmed the health department found the poisoning was an "isolated incident" and the risk to public health was "very low" with no recalls of products warranted. It was "highly unlikely" the commercial supply chain of mushrooms had been contaminated with amatoxin, also known as death cap mushrooms, she said. Patterson has pleaded not guilty to three counts of murder, over Don and Gail Patterson and Ms Wilkinson's deaths, and one of attempted murder. The trial before Justice Christopher Beale continues.
7NEWS
06-05-2025
- Health
- 7NEWS
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.
7NEWS
29-04-2025
- Health
- 7NEWS
Victoria records highest measles case numbers in a decade amid outbreak
While people often brush off measles as just a common illness, it's now at its highest level in a decade in one Australian state. So far this year, 23 cases have been recorded in Victoria, and that's more than the total number detected in all of 2024. The latest case prompted another health alert from the Victorian Department of Health on Monday, after a returned traveller from Pakistan tested positive. The returned traveller flew into Melbourne from Dubai on Emirates flight EK408 last Thursday (April 24), with several locations now identified as public exposure sites. These sites include Melbourne Airport, Westfield Fountain Gate, ALDI Kilmore, Coles Kilmore, Kilmore District Hospital Urgent Care Centre, Kilmore Library and Pet Stock Kilmore. Victorian Department of Health urges anyone who visited these locations to monitor for symptoms, which can develop between seven to 18 days after exposure. Common symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, sore or red eyes, and feeling generally unwell. It is then followed by a red, blotchy rash that typically starts on the face before spreading down the body. 'There is currently an increased risk of measles in the greater Melbourne and Mitchell Shire, with a number of public exposure sites identified,' said Tarun Weeramanthri, the department's chief health officer. He said an increasing number of infections are now being acquired locally in Victoria. Emergency physician Stephen Parnis told Nine's Today program this is the first time in a decade that local transmission of measles has occurred. Weeramanthri warned measles is highly infectious and can lead to serious complications such as pneumonia and brain inflammation (encephalitis). While vaccination is key to protection, coverage in Australia has dropped below the 95 per cent national target since the COVID-19 pandemic. 'Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself and others,' Weeramanthri said. 'Check if you're protected against measles today.' 'If you haven't had two doses, or you don't know, visit your GP or pharmacy for a catch-up MMR vaccine.' The MMR vaccine is free for all Victorians.
United News of India
29-04-2025
- Health
- United News of India
Measles health alert issued for Australian state of Victoria
Sydney, Apr 29 (UNI) Authorities in the southeastern Australian state of Victoria have issued a health alert for measles amid a spike in cases. The Victorian Department of Health on Monday said that a new measles case has been reported in a returned traveller who visited Pakistan and was infectious on a flight from Dubai to Melbourne on April 24. The department said on Friday that there had been 22 confirmed cases of measles in Victoria in 2025 - more than in 2023 and 2024 combined. It said the majority of cases have been acquired locally in Melbourne and surrounding areas. Victoria is Australia's second-most populous state with a population of over seven million. Tarun Weeramanthri, Victoria's Chief Health Officer, said on Monday that there is an "increased risk" of measles in greater Melbourne and the neighboring Mitchell Shire. "A growing number of measles cases have acquired their infection locally in Victoria," he said in a statement. "The majority of recent cases have arisen in people who have not had two documented doses of the MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) vaccine." He said that there is also an "ongoing risk" of measles being imported into Victoria by overseas travellers due to rising cases globally. Anyone who spent time in greater Melbourne or the Mitchell Shire from early April has been urged to monitor for symptoms of measles, including fever, cough and feeling generally unwell followed by a rash that usually starts on the face. Measles can spread through airborne droplets or contact with nose or throat secretions. According to the World Health Organisation, over 107,000 people died from measles globally in 2023 - most of whom were unvaccinated or under-vaccinated children younger than five. The Victorian Department of Health said that measles vaccination coverage across Australia has fallen below the 95 percent national target since the COVID-19 pandemic. The MMR vaccine is free in Australia for anyone who has not previously received two doses. UNI XINHUA ARN
