People warned of wild poison mushrooms

RANONG, THAILAND, September (TNA) - Ranong Province's public health office in the southern Thai region has asked people to be wary of poison mushrooms, considering that many fatal mushroom varieties normally thrive in local forests during the annual raining season. Chief of the provincial public health office Thongchai Keeratihuttayakorn cautioned Saturday that people should take extra careful when foraging for mushrooms in any forest or buying mushrooms because of the risk of picking poisonous varieties. Thongchai said poisonous mushrooms are normally brightly coloured, while most edible species are brown. Deadly mushrooms also have bumpy caps and rings on their stipes. According to the senior health official, symptoms of mushroom poisoning ranges from nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, diarrhea and grogginess. If consumed in high amount, it could also lead to death. The senior official suggested if a person is realized to have been poisoned by mushrooms, do induce vomiting and rush to a hospital. (TNA)