CHP investigates suspected case of food poisoning

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (February 7) investigating a suspected food poisoning case involving consumption of mushrooms.

     The case involves two men aged 46 and 17, who developed nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea about 1 to 7 hours after having cooked mushroom at home today. The mushroom was bought from online platform, which claimed to be made in Yunnan. They sought medical attention at the Accident and Emergency Department of Prince of Wales Hospital and was admitted to the hospital for further management on the same day. They are in a stable condition.

     The CHP investigations are ongoing.

     "Mushroom poisoning is generally acute. Common presentations include gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain appearing shortly after ingestion. Depending on the mushroom species, patients may also have other symptoms like profuse sweating, hallucination, coma or other neurological symptoms, as well as liver failure. Death may result in severe cases," a CHP spokesman said.

     "We advise the public to buy mushrooms from reputable and reliable suppliers and not to buy mushroom products which may be mixed with unknown species. Members of the public should not pick wild mushrooms for consumption as it is difficult to distinguish edible mushroom species from inedible ones. Mixing of edible species with inedible or poisonous species of mushroom will not dilute toxicity. Cooking in most cases does not destroy toxicity," the spokesman added.

     "If mushroom poisoning is suspected, the patient should seek immediate medical attention and bring along any available remnant for identification," the spokesman said.