BANGKOK, The Ministry of Public Health has issued an official warning to the public about consuming poisonous mushrooms.
Mushrooms, including the poisonous varieties, are easily found during the rainy season.
Since the beginning of this year to July 17th, there were 337 instances of people suffering from the consumption of poisonous mushrooms, in 38 provinces. The majority of the patients were in the Northeast especially Ubon Ratchathani Province, which had 88 patients followed by Chiang Rai which had 29.
Poisonous mushrooms usually start taking effect 2-3 hours after consumption. Patients usually experience symptoms similar to having food poisoning, such as feeling nauseous, vomiting, having an extreme stomach ache, and diarrhea. Kidney failure may be contracted in extreme cases.
Meanwhile, the Disease Control Department Director-General Dr. Sopon Mekthon advised the public to refrain from consuming mushrooms when drinking alcohol. He said alcohol can accelerate and intensify poisonous effects.
Patients suspected of having eaten poisonous mushrooms should attempt to induce vomiting and be rushed to the nearest hospital.
