24-7-2024 (PHNOM PENH) The Cambodian Ministry of Health has issued an urgent appeal to the public, cautioning against the consumption of unidentified mushrooms. This warning comes in the wake of a distressing incident in the northeastern province of Ratanakiri, where 17 individuals have been hospitalised due to suspected fungal poisoning.
The affected individuals, residents of Loum village in Ou Ya Dav district, were admitted to local medical facilities on Sunday after ingesting wild mushrooms foraged from the area. The Ministry’s news release stated, “The patients, including four women, are presenting symptoms of abdominal pain, diarrhoea, and vomiting. They are currently receiving intensive care from our medical team.”
In response to this alarming situation, health authorities have launched an investigation into the incident and are actively educating villagers about the dangers of consuming unidentified mushrooms. The Ministry emphasised the potential lethality of mushroom poisoning, noting that “Among thousands of mushroom species, approximately 100 are toxic when consumed.”
The health officials have outlined the typical symptoms of mushroom poisoning, which generally manifest between two to six hours after ingestion.
