Mushroom Poisoning Outbreaks — China, 2024
Weiwei Li, Yizhe Zhang, Hongshun Zhang, Jing Zhou, Zhong‐Feng Li, Yu Yin, Qian He, Shaofeng Jiang, Yutao Zhang, Yuan Yuan, Nan Lang, Bowen Cheng, J J Zhong, Mingxuan Yuan, Zhiyuan Liu, Chengye Sun
Abstract
What is already known about this topic?: Mushroom poisoning is a serious food safety problem in China. Since 2019, China CDC has conducted a series of investigations into mushroom poisoning outbreaks. These investigations have revealed the spatial and temporal distribution patterns of mushroom poisoning and the diversity of poisonous mushroom species in China. What is added by this report?: In 2024, China CDC investigated 599 mushroom poisoning incidents across 28 provincial-level administrative divisions (PLADs). These incidents affected 1,486 patients and resulted in 13 deaths, with a case fatality rate of 0.87%. Investigators identified 110 poisonous mushroom species causing 7 distinct clinical disease types, including 8 species newly documented as poisonous mushrooms in China. What are the implications for public health practice?: Timely species identification, toxin detection, and clinical type confirmation are crucial for effective mushroom poisoning control and proper patient treatment.