Mushroom poisoning hits holidaymakers
A&E wards in south-west report growing number of cases, as tourists go mushroom-picking without knowing the risks
HOSPITALS in the south-west of France have reported a growing number of poisoning cases from people who have picked inedible mushrooms.
Health authorities in the Aquitaine and Midi-Pyrénées say many of the people affected are tourists, who have benefited from the abundance of early mushrooms this year but have not taken the necessary precautions.
Some 30 cases of poisoning have been reported in the Tarn-et-Garonne in recent days and 21 in the Lot.
Symptoms include abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhea. Recovery is normally quick, after 24 hours of rehydration.
The most common cause is the bolet de Satan (Satan's mushroom) which has a pale dull-coloured cap and red-patterned stalk, and which some people have confused with the edible cèpe de Bordeaux.
It is important that mushroom-pickers seek advice from a pharmacist if they are not sure whether their collection is safe to eat.
The Lot préfecture says you should also avoid putting mushrooms in plastic bags because they rot quicker, and avoid picking near busy roads.
Two different varieties should not be stored together, to avoid cross-contamination, and mushrooms should be washed thoroughly, cut into small pieces and cooked for at least 20 minutes.
If you fall ill, you should call the Samu on 15 or your nearest anti-poisioning centre (centre antipoison).
Photo: Archenzo/Wikimedia
