In recent days, the Poison Control Center at Bach Mai Hospital (Hanoi) has received numerous cases of severe mushroom poisoning.
4 Deaths Reported
 |
| Tráng Thị Sang (9 years old) and Bàn Văn Thỏng (24 years old), two victims of mushroom poisoning in Cao Bồ commune, Vị Xuyên, Hà Giang (Photo: N.Hà) |
Due to being brought to the hospital late, Mr. Say is now suffering from severe complications, including hepatitis, renal failure, and gastrointestinal instability. According to Dr. Nguyễn Trung Nguyên, it is very difficult to predict the condition of patients like Mr. Say, who have absorbed toxins deeply into their bodies from mushrooms.
Three families in Dâng village, Cao Bồ commune, Hà Giang, experienced mushroom poisoning starting from February 21. Six people consumed the mushrooms, with three severe cases all from the family of Tráng Văn Đồn (30 years old, of the Dao ethnic group). Just ten days later, both Mr. Đồn and his 13-year-old son passed away due to the potency of the mushroom toxins.
Little Tráng Thị Sang (9 years old), Mr. Đồn’s daughter, was immediately transferred for treatment at Bach Mai Hospital on March 1. By the morning of March 14, Sang was discharged from the hospital. However, a neighbor of Sang, Mr. Bàn Văn Thỏng (24 years old), remains hospitalized for long-term treatment due to severe renal failure.
Avoid Eating Unknown Mushrooms
Doctors at the Poison Control Center of Bach Mai Hospital indicated that it is almost certain that these patients ingested the highly toxic greenish-black mushroom (scientific name: Amanita phalloides).
 |
| Avoid eating unknown types of mushrooms (Photo: HTV) |
This type of mushroom is white with a round, plump stem and can grow up to more than 10 cm in length during its peak development. The toxins in greenish-black mushrooms can be fatal within 24 hours. However, most cases exhibit delayed poisoning symptoms, with abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting occurring more than 12 hours after consumption.
In the case of poisoning in Hà Giang, symptoms like nausea and headaches only manifested nearly a day after consumption. As a result, families were complacent, simply thinking it was due to excessive alcohol consumption.
Additionally, the progression of mushroom poisoning cases is very complex, making prognosis extremely challenging.
Dr. Nguyễn Kim Sơn affirmed that the center receives fatal mushroom poisoning cases every year. The best preventive measure is to avoid eating unknown mushrooms, no matter how beautiful or plump they look, or even if they initially taste sweet. All wild mushrooms or those of unknown origin can pose a deadly risk.
NGỌC HÀ
