Mushroom mayhem: US issues warning as deadly lookalikes lick their way into the plate
New York (The Uttam Hindu): If you too are fond of eating mushrooms, then this news is very important for you. Don't risk your life in pursuit of taste, because a frightening news has come from America. Here, eating wild mushrooms is not only causing liver damage but also causing death. There has been an uproar in California, USA after an adult died after eating poisonous 'Death Cap Mushroom. Seeing the seriousness of the situation, the authorities have issued a health warning and have strictly advised people not to eat wild mushrooms.
The California Department of Health reported that several people, including children, have recently fallen seriously ill after eating poisonous mushrooms in the state. These patients have suffered severe liver damage, and the poison control system has recorded 21 cases of amatoxin poisoning so far. According to health officials, this is the result of the "death cap" mushroom. This poisonous mushroom looks and tastes exactly like a normal edible mushroom, which can lead to people being deceived. California Department of Health Director Erica Pan stated that this mushroom contains a dangerous toxin that can cause liver failure. She urged people to completely avoid picking and eating wild mushrooms during this high-risk season.
The production of these poisonous mushrooms increases rapidly during the rainy season. In Monterey County in Central California and the San Francisco Bay Area, several people have fallen ill after eating mushrooms picked from parks. The condition is so serious that one patient may need a liver transplant. Statistics show that in 2023, more than 4,500 cases of exposure to unknown mushrooms were reported to poison centers in the United States, with more than half of the victims being young children who ate them while playing.
Experts have warned that identifying this poison is beyond the reach of the average person. Its toxicity cannot be determined by its color, nor does cooking it neutralize the poison. The alarming thing is that within 24 hours of eating a poisonous mushroom, symptoms such as stomach cramps, vomiting, or diarrhea appear, which may temporarily subside with medication. However, this improvement in symptoms can be deceptive, as it is only after this time that the actual damage to the liver begins. Therefore, the health department has clearly stated that it is wise to stay away from any kind of wild mushroom.