... that some wild mushrooms can kill you.
Deadly dinner party
With all the enthusiasm that comes with the promise of a new year of mushroom-hunting ahead, I noticed this tragic story in the British press at the start of January, and it gave me a little jolt.
A group of friends mistakenly ate some death cap (Amanita phalloides) wild mushrooms at a New Year’s Eve party in Sydney, Australia.
Two died and one is in a critical condition.
Two died and one is in a critical condition.
Words of warning
As fans of wild fungi, it’s important to never forget that you are dealing with something potentially fatal. It’s such a shame that two people had to lose their lives in this way.
The fungi grow in autumn near oak trees in Canberra, where the dinner party was held.
Symptoms of death cap mushroom poisoning
The symptoms often do not appear until 10-16 hours after the mushrooms have been eaten.
The first symptoms are stomach pains, vomiting and diarrhoea, which might continue for a day or two. Then there is typically an easing of symptoms – but the poisons continue to attack the body while the unfortunate person who ate the deadly fungi is tricked into thinking they’re making a recovery.
This false 'recovery' period may last for two or three days and then the 'terminal phase of three to five days' starts with the re-occurrence of stomach pains, vomiting and diarrhoea.
Without early medical intervention, coma and death occur between one and two weeks after eating the mushroom.
Death is caused by liver failure, often accompanied by kidney failure.
Don't make the same mistake
I interviewed a very lucky man (for the Guardian in 2010), who ate some destroying angel mushrooms and lived to tell the tale. You can read about his amazing and terrifying experience here.
The overall message is, enjoy the wondrous world of wild fungi, but never eat anything without rigorous identification. And please, despite all the effort you may have put in to finding your fungi, never let go of that willingness to throw everything in the bin if you have even a smidgin of doubt.
No comments:
Post a Comment