CHP investigates suspected food poisoning case related to wild mushrooms
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The case involves a 53-year-old female, who developed abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhoea about 13 hours after consuming wild mushrooms at home on May 13. She sought medical attention at the Accident and Emergency Department of Queen Elizabeth Hospital today and was admitted to the intensive care unit of the hospital for further management. She is in a stable condition.
Initial investigations revealed that the patient picked the wild mushrooms that she consumed from the roadside in Ma Yau Tong, Sai Kung, on May 13. The CHP's investigation is ongoing.
"Members of the public should not pick wild mushrooms for consumption as it is difficult to distinguish edible mushroom species from inedible ones," a spokesman for the CHP said.
"Mushroom poisoning is generally acute. Common presentations include gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain appearing shortly after ingestion. Depending on the mushroom species, patients may also have other symptoms like profuse sweating, hallucinations, coma or other neurological symptoms, as well as liver failure. Death may result in severe cases," he added.
"If mushroom poisoning is suspected, the patient should seek immediate medical attention and bring along any available remnant for identification," the spokesman said.
Ends/Wednesday, May 15, 2019
Issued at HKT 17:30
Issued at HKT 17:30
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