The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (August 12) investigating a suspected case of food poisoning related to the consumption of wild mushrooms, and urged the public not to collect and eat wild mushrooms from parks or the countryside.
A 63-year-old female patient developed vomiting about three hours after consuming mushrooms at home yesterday (August 11). The patient sought medical attention at the Accident and Emergency Department of Queen Elizabeth Hospital yesterday. She has been in a stable condition and was discharged.
Initial investigations revealed that the patient had consumed wild mushrooms picked at Shek Kip Mei Park yesterday. 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 such as profuse sweating, hallucinations, 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 mushrooms 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.
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