Latest news with #Amanita
Time of India
4 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Mushroom poisoning kills 4 women in 1 week in Kumaon
Nainital: A 23-year-old woman from Ranikhet died during treatment for mushroom poisoning, marking the fourth such death in Kumaon within a week. The woman had consumed wild mushrooms some days ago with her husband. Both fell ill that night with vomiting and diarrhoea and were hospitalised for three days. But while the husband survived, she died. Dr Arun Joshi, principal of Susheela Tiwari Hospital in Haldwani where the woman was being treated, said: "The patient's lungs were infected, electrolyte balance was severely disrupted, and respiratory system had collapsed. Despite efforts, she couldn't be saved." On July 13, renowned folk singer Ganesh Martolia's sister, Diya, and their grandmother, Kunti Devi, died in Munsyari after eating a similar variety of wild mushrooms. That same day, a woman from Kuwari village in Bageshwar district also succumbed to mushroom poisoning. In response to the deaths in Munsyari, a three-member expert committee was formed on Thursday to submit a fact-based report within 48 hours, following directions from Dr Sunita Tamta, director general of medical health and family welfare. The probe will examine treatment protocols, referral timing, and lapses if any. Tamta warned that negligence or violations would lead to strict disciplinary action. Health experts have expressed concern over the rising number of such poisonings. Senior physician Dr M S Dugtal stressed the importance of public awareness. "Early intervention is critical. If vomiting is induced promptly and the patient reaches hospital within 3 to 4 hours, chances of survival increase. Delays drastically reduce that," he said. Dr Lalit Tewari, botany professor at Kumaun University, said that wild mushrooms contain lethal toxins that can cause liver or kidney failure, seizures, coma, or death, sometimes within hours. Most foragers lack formal training, and traditional knowledge isn't always reliable. Toxins like amatoxins present in Amanita mushrooms have no antidote and may show symptoms only after 6 to 24 hours, further delaying treatment. "Buy mushrooms from trusted sources, avoid unidentified varieties, spread awareness through schools and health workers, and never rely on home remedies in poisoning cases," he advised.
News18
5 days ago
- Health
- News18
How To Tell Poisonous Mushrooms Apart From Edible Ones?
1/6 One safe and scientific method to identify mushrooms is the spore print test. To perform this, the cap of the mushroom is cut and placed face-down on white paper or glass. After a few hours, the mushroom releases its spores. If the spore print is white, the mushroom could belong to the Amanita species, which includes the deadly Death Cap Mushroom. This species is extremely poisonous, and its consumption can be fatal. With growing awareness, many rural communities have started using this method for safer identification. (News18 Hindi) 3/6 In addition to this, some experienced villagers in Bageshwar use basic chemical tests at home. By applying a drop of ammonia or potassium hydroxide (KOH) to the mushroom's surface, they check for a sudden colour change (such as blue, green, or yellow), which may indicate toxicity. While this method isn't foolproof, it helps with initial identification. Paying attention to the mushroom's smell and juice can also provide useful clues. (News18 Hindi) Folklore in Uttarakhand about mushrooms can be misleading. Sayings like "poisonous mushrooms are avoided by mongooses" or "camels don't eat poisonous mushrooms" are not rooted in science and can be dangerous. Just because an animal avoids or consumes something doesn't make it safe or unsafe for humans. Some toxic mushrooms look completely harmless, making scientific testing or expert guidance the only reliable ways to identify them. (News18 Hindi) If you're collecting mushrooms in the forests of Uttarakhand, always consult a knowledgeable local or a botany expert. In places like Bageshwar, several villagers have years of experience distinguishing between edible and toxic varieties. Never consume unknown mushrooms based solely on appearance. Children and elderly individuals should be especially cautious, as hospitals frequently report mushroom poisoning cases during the monsoon. (News18 Hindi) During the rainy season, mushrooms commonly grow in the forests of Bageshwar and surrounding areas. While some varieties are delicious, others can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, dizziness, liver failure, or even death. Always rely on clear identification, testing, and expert advice before consuming wild mushrooms. Even a small mistake can lead to fatal consequences, better safe than sorry. (News18 Hindi)
Daily Express
11-07-2025
- Daily Express
Sabah Police Chief on role of women
Published on: Friday, July 11, 2025 Published on: Fri, Jul 11, 2025 By: Winnie Kasmir Text Size: Jauteh also stressed the ongoing challenge of cybercrime, especially online scams, which continue to persist despite various awareness campaigns being carried out. 'We have found that not only members of the public but also professionals have fallen victim,' he said. KINABATANGAN: Housewives play a vital role in helping to maintain community wellbeing by serving as the eyes and ears of the authorities, said Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Jauteh Dikun. According to him, women, particularly housewives, are individuals who are constantly present in the community and are more familiar with the movements and behaviour of those around them .'They observe various forms of behaviour, including those that may be unlawful, such as acts of aggression, immoral conduct or drug abuse. 'We hope such information will be channelled to the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) through the Amanita initiative,' he said to the media after launching the Kinabatangan District Amanita Community Garden Programme at Dewan Seri Lamag here Wednesday. Jauteh also stressed the ongoing challenge of cybercrime, especially online scams, which continue to persist despite various awareness campaigns being carried out. 'We have found that not only members of the public but also professionals have fallen victim,' he said. He advised the public not to panic and to immediately refer any suspicious calls to the nearest police station for verification and advice. Meanwhile, commenting on sexual crimes, Jauteh said that most rape cases in Sabah involve underage teenagers. He therefore urged parents to regularly monitor their children's mobile phone usage and activities, including within their own homes. He also addressed the growing concern over crocodile threats in several rural areas of the state. 'In the past week alone, there were two crocodile attack incidents – one in Beluran and another in Kinabatangan. We are seeing crocodiles not only threatening waterways but also encroaching into plantation areas,' he said. As a long-term preventive measure, he proposed controlling the crocodile population by destroying their eggs, describing this as a non-cruel and widely acceptable alternative. 'We don't need to kill the crocodiles, but rather remove their eggs to control the population. It's similar to collecting chicken eggs, there is no element of cruelty in that,' he added. He emphasised that Sabah police will continue to intensify collaboration with the community in efforts to curb crime and ensure public safety. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
DW
09-07-2025
- Health
- DW
Death cap: The mushroom behind deadly dinner in Australia – DW – 07/09/2025
It started as a home-cooked meal, ended in multiple deaths and a court sentence for Erin Patterson. Here's how the death cap became the center of a chilling murder case. A jury in Australia has found Erin Patterson guilty on three counts of murder and one of attempted murder. The murder weapon: Toxic mushrooms. Prosecutors argued Patterson intentionally served four of her family members with meal portions containing toxic death cap mushrooms in 2023. Patterson denied being guilty, originally telling police she had used store-bought mushrooms from a supermarket, then an Asian grocer in Melbourne. A search of such stores found no evidence that poisonous mushrooms had ever been sold. During the trial, Patterson said she may have foraged for the mushrooms but could not say for certain where she had obtained the death caps. Deadly by name and by nature, death cap mushrooms ( are full of a highly stable toxin called alpha-Amanitin. The toxin is so stable that it won't break down when exposed to heat in cooking. When a death cap is eaten, people don't usually feel symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea until at least 6 hours later. During this time the alpha-Amanitin toxins are making their way through the bloodstream into organs of the body. The toxin primarily acts in the liver, where it causes cells in the liver to die. Alpha-Amanitin binds with RNA polymerase-II enzymes, preventing the cells from creating new proteins. Eventually, the liver starts to shut down. Death can occur within 24 hours. The Amanita genus of fungi is well-known for their toxic properties. This group include the fairytale "toadstool" commonly known as the fly agaric, death caps, and "destroying angels". But some other Amanita mushrooms are edible. Most cases of death cap poisoning are often a case of misidentification — their classic white appearance and domed cap looks like many other types of fungi. Identification of mushrooms requires a knowledge of different parts of the anatomy: the cap or fruiting body, the gills or spores beneath the cap, and the stipe — or stalk. While death caps look like many other mushrooms, one defining characteristic is their bad smell. "They don't store well at all, unless you dehydrate them. They quickly go very stinky and very nasty," Brett Summerell, a fungi expert and Chief Scientist at the Botanic Gardens of Sydney, Australia, told DW. Because of the risk of misidentification by amateurs, it's usually recommended that foragers go for edible species that cannot be mistaken. Of course, foraging under the supervision of a trained mycologist — a fungi scientist — is usually a safe option. The jury ultimately didn't find Patterson's defense — that she mixed up foraged mushrooms in the same container as store-bought ones — believable. The prosecution argued Patterson knowingly put the toxic mushrooms in the home-cooked lunch and disposed of evidence. Summerell said the likelihood that death caps could get into store-bought products "is, to be honest, farcical." The reason? Death caps only grow next to oak and beech trees. Death caps, like many fungi, are mycorrhizal, meaning they have a symbiotic relationship with the tree species. Death caps obtain their nutrients from nearby tree roots and return nutrients to the nearby soil. But because they can only grow at the base of oak and beech trees, it means there's no chance of them sprouting in a commercial setting, where spores are cultivated in highly controlled conditions — and with no trees in sight. Death caps aren't native to Australia, and neither are the oak and beech trees that support them. The trees were first introduced into Australia from Europe in the 19th ecntury, and death caps in the 1960s. Summerell and other mycologists are now discussing the possibility of removing oak trees in some parts of Australia. "We have argued that, in Sydney, if it's at all possible, we should start to think about removing oak trees from some of these suburbs just from the point of view of a public health risk," said Summerell. Removing introduced oaks could harbor positive benefits, both from a public health perspective by removing the risk of the top cause of mushroom poisoning, as well as providing more space for native Australian plant life.
DW
08-07-2025
- DW
'Mushroom lady' found guilty of murder using death caps – DW – 07/08/2025
Death cap mushrooms were at the center of an Australian murder trial. What are death cap mushrooms, and why are they so deadly? A jury in Australia has found Erin Patterson guilty on three counts of murder and one of attempted murder. The murder weapon: Toxic mushrooms. Prosecutors argued Patterson intentionally served four of her family members with meal portions containing toxic death cap mushrooms in 2023. Patterson denied being guilty, originally telling police she had used store-bought mushrooms from a supermarket, then an Asian grocer in Melbourne. A search of such stores found no evidence that poisonous mushrooms had ever been sold. During the trial, Patterson said she may have foraged for the mushrooms but could not say for certain where she had obtained the death caps. Deadly by name and by nature, death cap mushrooms ( are full of a highly stable toxin called alpha-Amanitin. The toxin is so stable that it won't break down when exposed to heat in cooking. When a death cap is eaten, people don't usually feel symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea until at least 6 hours later. During this time the alpha-Amanitin toxins are making their way through the bloodstream into organs of the body. The toxin primarily acts in the liver, where it causes cells in the liver to die. Alpha-Amanitin binds with RNA polymerase-II enzymes, preventing the cells from creating new proteins. Eventually, the liver starts to shut down. Death can occur within 24 hours. The Amanita genus of fungi is well-known for their toxic properties. This group include the fairytale "toadstool" commonly known as the fly agaric, death caps, and "destroying angels". But some other Amanita mushrooms are edible. Most cases of death cap poisoning are often a case of misidentification — their classic white appearance and domed cap looks like many other types of fungi. Identification of mushrooms requires a knowledge of different parts of the anatomy: the cap or fruiting body, the gills or spores beneath the cap, and the stipe — or stalk. While death caps look like many other mushrooms, one defining characteristic is they smell. Bad. "They don't store well at all, unless you dehydrate them. They quickly go very stinky and very nasty," Brett Summerell, a fungi expert and Chief Scientist at the Botanic Gardens of Sydney, Australia, told DW. Because of the risk of misidentification by amateurs, it's usually recommended that foragers go for edible species that cannot be mistaken. Of course, foraging under the supervision of a trained mycologist — a fungi scientist — is usually a safe option. The jury ultimately didn't find Patterson's defense believable that she mixed up foraged mushrooms in the same container as store-bought ones. The prosecution argued Patterson knowingly put the toxic mushrooms in the home-cooked lunch and disposed of evidence. Summerell said the likelihood that death caps could get into store-bought products "is, to be honest, farcical." The reason? Death caps only grow next to oak and beech trees. Death caps, like many fungi, are mycorrhizal, meaning they have a symbiotic relationship with the tree species. Death caps obtain their nutrients from nearby tree roots and return nutrients to the nearby soil. But because they can only grow at the base of oak and beech trees, it means there's no chance of them sprouting in a commercial setting, where spores are cultivated in highly controlled conditions — and with no trees in sight. Death caps aren't native to Australia, and neither are the oak and beech trees that support them. The trees were first introduced into Australia from Europe in the 19th Century, and death caps in the 1960s. Summerell and other mycologists are now discussing the possibility of removing oak trees in some parts of Australia. "We have argued that, in Sydney, if it's at all possible, we should start to think about removing oak trees from some of these suburbs just from the point of view of a public health risk," said Summerell. Removing introduced oaks could harbor positive benefits, both from a public health perspective by removing the risk of the top cause of mushroom poisoning, as well as providing more space for native Australian plant life.
