Mushroom Poisoning Outbreaks - China, 2022

Area of Science:

• Food Safety
• Mycology
• Public Health

Background:

• Mushroom poisoning is a critical food safety issue in China, particularly in the Southwest region.
• Over 520 poisonous mushroom species were identified by the end of 2021, with poisonings peaking in summer and autumn.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the epidemiology of mushroom poisoning incidents in China during 2022.
• To identify causative mushroom species and their associated clinical manifestations.
• To inform public health strategies for prevention and management.

Main Methods:

• A nationwide investigation of 482 mushroom poisoning incidents across 21 provincial-level administrative divisions (PLADs) was conducted by the China CDC in 2022.
• Identification of causative mushroom species and classification of clinical types of diseases.

Main Results:

• The investigation involved 1,332 patients, resulting in 28 deaths, yielding a case fatality rate of 2.1%.
• A total of 98 mushroom species were identified as responsible for 7 distinct clinical types of diseases.
• Three provisional new species (Collybia humida nom. prov., Spodocybe venenata nom. prov., and Omphalotus yunnanensis nom. prov.) were newly recorded as poisonous in China, alongside 10 other species.

Conclusions:

• Mushroom poisoning poses a substantial threat to public health in China.
• Enhanced prevention measures and improved professional capabilities in identification, diagnosis, and treatment are crucial.
• Continued surveillance and research are necessary to address the evolving landscape of mushroom poisoning.