With rising temperatures and abundant rainfall, people should avoid picking wild mushrooms when enjoying the outdoors. On March 11, the Dongguan Food and Drug Administration issued its second food safety warning for the year, stating that this is a high season for poisonous mushroom poisoning. The general public should not pick, eat, buy, or sell wild mushrooms and should be vigilant against accidental poisoning from toxic mushrooms.
Also known as toxic toadstools, according to relevant information, there are about 100 species of poisonous mushrooms in China, more than 10 of which are highly toxic and can be fatal to humans. Commonly found highly toxic varieties include the deadly Galerina, the deadly parasol, and the white death cap. Because poisonous mushrooms resemble edible ones in appearance and are difficult to distinguish, they are easily mistaken and consumed, leading to poisoning. The toxicity of poisonous mushrooms is extremely strong, and the clinical manifestations of poisoning are complex and varied. After accidental consumption, symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea (gastrointestinal symptoms), as well as mental excitement and hallucinations (psychiatric symptoms), may appear. In severe cases, symptoms such as hemolysis, liver and kidney damage can occur. Currently, there is no specific treatment for poisonous mushroom poisoning, and the symptoms are severe, with a rapid onset and a high mortality rate. In Dongguan, there are several cases of accidental poisonous mushroom poisoning every year. In 2014, fatal accidents occurred in Chang'an and Xiegang towns where residents died after consuming the "white death cap."
The Food and Drug Administration reminds the public not to blindly trust folk or online methods for identifying poisonous mushrooms that lack a scientific basis. Do not pick or eat wild mushrooms or mushrooms of unknown origin. Also, do not let your guard down when buying wild mushrooms at markets, especially if you have never eaten them or do not recognize them. It is prohibited for units such as group banquets, catering services, and folk tourism activities to self-pick, process, or consume wild mushrooms to ensure the safety of public food consumption. If a person experiences symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain after eating mushrooms, you can first have the person ingest large amounts of warm salt water, then use a finger to stimulate the pharynx to induce vomiting. After inducing vomiting, be sure to seek immediate medical attention.