Health authorities have urged NSW residents not to forage or eat wild mushrooms after the discovery of poisonous death cap mushrooms in parts of the state.
Amanita phalloides, commonly known as death cap mushrooms, have been recently detected growing in Sydney, the Southern Highlands and southern NSW.
NSW Poisons Information Centre senior specialist Genevieve Adamo said death cap mushrooms can be deadly if eaten.
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“Symptoms of mushroom poisoning can sometimes be delayed, but early treatment is vital to health outcomes,” Adamo said.
“These include vomiting and diarrhoea, and in severe cases, liver and kidney damage or death.”
Adamo said urged parents to watch their children outdoors to keep them safe.
“As young children have a tendency to put things in their mouths, they can be at risk,” Adamo said.
“Watch your children when they are playing outside, especially around large trees in parks or your garden at home where mushrooms may grow.
“Remove any mushrooms that may grow to keep your children safe.
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Last year there were 23 hospitalisations for the toxic effects of ingested mushrooms, including two children aged under five years.
In the same year, the NSW Poisons Information Centre responded to 363 calls about exposures to wild mushrooms in NSW and ACT, an increase of 26 per cent compared to 2023.
So far this year, there have been 190 calls about poisonous mushrooms.
Botanic Gardens of Sydney chief scientist Professor Brett Summerell warned that identifying whether a wild mushroom is safe to eat is extremely difficult.
“There is no easy or reliable way to identify if a wild mushroom is edible or poisonous, so we advise people against foraging for and eating wild mushrooms,” Summerell said.
“Cooking poisonous mushrooms does not make them safe to eat.
“You should only eat mushrooms you buy from a reputable grocery store, supermarket or produce market.”
NSW Health and local councils have been conducting ongoing surveillance for death cap mushrooms for the last two years following an initial detection in Southern NSW.
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