CHP investigates suspected food poisoning case
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The case involves two female patients aged 37 and 52, who presented with abdominal pain, diarrhoea, dizziness, sweating, nausea and vomiting around one to two hours after having lunch with porcini mushrooms purchased in the Mainland earlier and cooked at home yesterday (September 3). They sought medical attention at the Accident and Emergency Department of Queen Elizabeth Hospital on the same day. They were in stable condition and were later discharged against medical advice.
The CHP's investigation is ongoing.
"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, comas or other neurological symptoms, as well as liver failure. Death may result in severe cases," a CHP spokesman said.
"We advise the public to buy mushrooms from reputable and reliable suppliers and not to buy mushroom products which may be mixed with unknown species. Members of the public should not pick wild mushrooms for consumption as it is difficult to distinguish edible mushroom species from inedible ones. Mixing of edible species with inedible or poisonous species of mushroom will not dilute toxicity. Cooking in most cases does not destroy toxicity," the spokesman 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/Monday, September 4, 2023
Issued at HKT 19:15
Issued at HKT 19:15
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