CHP investigates suspected case of food poisoning

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (May 31) investigating a suspected food poisoning case involving consumption of mushrooms.

     The case involves a 56-year-old woman who developed nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain about four and a half hours after consuming mushrooms purchased from a store in Tseung Kwan O and cooked at home on May 30. The patient was discharged after seeking medical attention at the Accident and Emergency Department of Tseung Kwan O Hospital today. She has been in stable condition all along.

     The CHP investigations are ongoing and the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department was also alerted to the case.

     "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.