Fatal mushroom poisoning warning after hospitalisations in Moldova
At least ten people have been hospitalised in Moldova since the start of autumn after eating wild mushrooms, prompting a nationwide warning from health officials.
Heavy rains in recent weeks have caused forests to become full of mushrooms, leading to a rise in vendors selling them roadside. Experts caution that without proper knowledge, it is easy to mistake toxic species for edible ones, which can lead to severe—and potentially fatal—poisoning.
In Condriţa village, near the capital Chişinău, local vendors are selling mushrooms picked from the surrounding forest.
A local vendor, Ludmila, says she can tell the difference.
"We know what they look like; we know them with our eyes closed," she said. "There are deceiving mushrooms. You can't verify them with an onion test. If you don't know them, it's better not to eat them—don't try, don't experiment with your family."
Another seller noted that last year was a record season, but this year's harvest started late. The quality, she added, is linked to the type of tree: "If it grew near a hornbeam, it's darker; if near a linden, it's lighter."
Vendors reported good sales, with a small bucket costing 150 Moldovan lei (about £7). They claimed that the victims of poisoning are usually those who forage themselves, not their customers.
Buyers interviewed by reporters, mostly from Chişinău, expressed confidence in the sellers' expertise. "It is easier to come here, we don't know the spots," one customer explained. Another acknowledged the risk: "While there are cases of poisoning, people also get poisoned by buying products even from stores."
Luminiţa Suveică, a public health specialist, stressed that while mushrooms are rich in protein, a wrong choice is a serious hazard.
"Mushroom poisoning can be fatal. It starts with simple signs, nausea, vomiting, but it depends on the amount of toxins consumed," she stated.
Health specialists urge anyone experiencing signs of illness after consuming mushrooms not to wait or resort to self-treatment, but to call the emergency services number 112 immediately.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
