By Iqra Batool
A family lunch in a quiet Australian town turned deadly last week when three guests died and a fourth was hospitalized after eating wild mushrooms.
The incident happened on July 29 at the home of Erin Patterson in Leongatha, Victoria. Patterson had been hosting her in-laws, Gail and Don Patterson, and her mother-in-law's sister, Heather Wilkinson, for lunch. The fourth guest was Wilkinson's husband, Ian.
The following day, all four guests began to experience severe stomach pains, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. They were taken to a Melbourne hospital, where Gail, Don, and Heather died a few days later. Ian remains in critical condition.
Patterson was questioned by the police and subsequently released without any charges. However, she is still under suspicion in relation to the case. They are still investigating the source of the mushrooms and how they were prepared.
Toxicology reports have not yet been released, but police say the symptoms of the guests are consistent with poisoning by death cap mushrooms, a particularly deadly variety.
Death cap mushrooms are native to Europe and Asia, but they have been found in Australia in recent years. They are often mistaken for edible mushrooms, but they can be fatal if ingested.
The deaths of Gail, Don, and Heather have shocked the small town of Leongatha. The three victims were well-known and respected members of the community. Gail and Don were retired teachers, and Heather was a nurse. Ian is a pastor at the local Baptist church.
Police are urging people to be careful when eating wild mushrooms. They say there is no way to reliably distinguish between edible and poisonous mushrooms, so it is best to avoid them altogether.
The incident in Leongatha is a reminder of the dangers of eating wild mushrooms. It is important to be aware of the risks before you decide to forage for mushrooms. If you are not sure whether a mushroom is safe to eat, it is best to leave it alone.
Wild mushrooms are a delicious and nutritious food source, but they can also be deadly if not eaten with caution. There are over 10,000 species of mushrooms in the world, and only about 2,000 of them are edible. The rest are poisonous, and some are so toxic that they can kill a person in just a few hours.
It is important to be able to distinguish between edible and poisonous mushrooms before you start foraging. Some common edible mushrooms include:
Button mushrooms
Cremini mushrooms
Portobello mushrooms
Shiitake mushrooms
Oyster mushrooms
Enoki mushrooms.
There is no foolproof way to distinguish between edible and poisonous mushrooms, but there are a few things you can look for. Edible mushrooms typically have smooth, round caps and white gills. They also have a pleasant smell. Poisonous mushrooms, on the other hand, often have a foul smell and their gills can be yellow, orange, or green.
If you are not sure whether a mushroom is safe to eat, it is best to leave it alone. There is no sense in risking your life for a meal.
Once you have found some edible mushrooms, it is important to cook them thoroughly before eating them. This will help to destroy any harmful toxins that may be present. It is also important to avoid eating mushrooms that have been picked in areas that have been sprayed with pesticides or herbicides.
Mushroom poisoning is a serious condition that can be fatal. It is caused by eating mushrooms that contain toxins.
The signs of mushroom poisoning can differ based on the specific mushroom consumed.
Some common symptoms include:
Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Abdominal pain
Headache
Confusion
Seizures
Coma
Death
If you experience any of these symptoms after eating wild mushrooms, it is important to seek medical attention immediately. Mushroom poisoning can be fatal, so it is important to act quickly.
There is no specific treatment for mushroom poisoning. The treatment focuses on providing supportive care and addressing the symptoms.
This may include:
Activated charcoal to absorb the toxins
Intravenous fluids to prevent dehydration
Medications to control nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
Supportive care in the intensive care unit
In certain instances, a liver transplant might be required.
The best way to prevent mushroom poisoning is to avoid eating wild mushrooms altogether. If you do choose to eat wild mushrooms, it is important to be able to identify them correctly.
Here are some tips for eating wild mushrooms safely:
Only eat mushrooms that you have positively identified as edible.
Never eat mushrooms that you have found growing in areas that have been sprayed with pesticides or herbicides.
Be aware of the different types of poisonous mushrooms that grow in your area.
If you are unsure about whether a mushroom is safe to eat, it is best to err on the side of caution and leave it alone.
Cook mushrooms thoroughly before eating them.
Do not eat mushrooms that have a foul smell.
Avoid eating mushrooms that have been picked in areas that have been heavily trafficked by animals.
Eating wild mushrooms can be a fun and rewarding experience, but it is important to do it safely. By following the tips above, you can help to ensure that your mushroom foraging trips are safe and enjoyable.
References
1) https://familydoctor.org/condition/food-poisoning-mushroom-poisoning/
2) https://www.agrilearner.com/edible-and-poisonous-mushrooms/
3) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15641246/
