DPIC sees increase in calls about potential mushroom poisonings

Calls to the BC Drug and Poison Information Centre about exposures to poisonous mushrooms rose through the fall, with some callers reporting serious illness.
A poisonous death cap mushroom with a white stem and light brown cap is seen nestled in brown leaves and green moss
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​​Amanita phalloides is an extremely poisonous species of mushroom, commonly known as a death cap. These types of mushroom have been seen on Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland of BC. Photo credit: © ekliniomycontina, some rights reserved (CC-BY-NC) iNaturalist​

​During the fall season in British Columbia (BC), the BC Drug and Poison Information Centre (DPIC) typically sees an increase in calls from people who may have ingested poisonous mushrooms. Over the past two months, there have been several calls to DPIC about potential exposures to toxic mushrooms, with some callers saying they experienced serious illness.

“Mushroom poisoning is serious and can cause very severe illness," said Johnmark Opondo, a public health resident in Environmental Health Services at BCCDC. “Wild, picked mushrooms should always be evaluated by a mushroom specialist (mycologist)."

“Health care providers should be aware that the early signs of mushroom toxicity can mimic viral gastro-enteritis," Opondo added. "And they should call DPIC to report symptoms and seek support."

​​​What to do if someone may have been poisoned​

If you suspect that you or someone you're with has been poisoned by a mushroom, it's important to seek help immediately. Any time a person goes unconscious, has a seizure, has trouble breathing or experiences chest pain, call 9-1-1 for urgent medical assistance.

When you need advice from a poison information expert, call DPIC's 24-hour phone line at 1-800-567-8911. Keeping a sample of each type of mushroom that was consumed helps identify the species of mushroom and the effects it can have on the body, which is particularly useful when someone start to develop symptoms of illness.

"Foraged wild mushrooms carry a risk of poisoning, whether they were purchased by a forager or foraged yourself," said Kuljeet Chattha, food safety manager in Environmental Health Services. “Certain toxic mushrooms look very similar to edible ones, and it can be hard to tell them apart – even for experienced mushroom pickers."

“Cooking or boiling does NOT inactivate the toxin and make a poisonous mushroom safe to eat," Chattha emphasized.

About 250 species of wild mushrooms found in North America are poisonous. Many more can cause varying degrees of adverse health effects. The safest option is to purchase mushrooms from reputable retail sellers. If you do decide to forage for mushrooms, take extra precautions:​

  • Be aware of lookalikes
  • ​Do not rely on photographs (or applications that rely on photographs) as the only method to identify a wild mushroom
  • Only harvest wild mushrooms if you are certain they are safe
  • Store harvested mushrooms in paper (not plastic) bags at cool temperatures

​​Resources to help avoid poisonous mushrooms in BC

The latest data on calls to DPIC about mushrooms and other toxic substances are available on the Drug and Poison Information Centre Dashboard, and more information on poison prevention is posted on the DPIC website.

Visit the following links for additional resources on some of the common types of poisonous mushrooms in BC: