The number of cases of mushroom poisoning has increased. According to the National Public Health Center, over 50 persons suffered mushroom poisoning after eating mushrooms during the last three months. Specialists warn against purchasing mushrooms from unauthorized places and recommend seeing immediately a doctor on the first symptoms because the mushrooms can cause very serious poisoning, sometimes with lethal effect, IPN reports.

The over 50 persons are from the municipalities of Chisinau and Balti and the districts of Soroca, Hancesti and Ialoveni. Almost half of these are children. This is worrisome given that the children are more vulnerable owing to the age particularities, nourishment and personal hygiene and are exposed to a higher risk of poisoning.

The National Public Health Center recommends immediately calling an ambulance when suffering such symptoms as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive transpiration and others. These can appear only several hours after eating mushrooms. There are mushrooms that become toxic when they are eaten in combination with alcohol.

To avoid mushroom poisoning, especially serious forms, the mushrooms must not be bought from persons selling them by the roadside and from unauthorized places. It is not recommended picking them up from town parks, from near roads and railways or at waste dumps. Before being prepared, the mushrooms must be cleaned thoroughly and washed repeatedly under running water.