Headlines - Mushroom Poisoning Cases in 2013

Between July 1 and October 6, 2013, the French Institute for Public Health Surveillance (InVS) recorded 546 cases of mushroom poisoning (including 44 cases evenly distributed between Franche-Comté and Burgundy). Among these cases, one 18-month-old child required a liver transplant. No deaths were reported. The seasonal peak in poisoning cases, directly linked to weather conditions that promote mushroom growth, varies each year. In 2013, this peak occurred earlier than in 2012, and an increase in cases has been observed in recent weeks: 177 cases in week 40 (September 30–October 6) compared to 25 cases in week 37 (September 9–15). All of these cases were recorded by the network of Poison Control and Toxicovigilance Centers (CAPTV). Based on health surveillance of emergency room visits and deaths—Sursaud®—39 emergency room visits in the Bourgogne and Franche-Comté regions due to mushroom poisoning (including 23 in Franche-Comté) were recorded between July 1 and October 16, 2013. Although surveillance data from previous years showed that the number of cases reported by emergency departments was lower than those reported by CAPTV, both data sources revealed consistent trends.In light of these recurring cases of poisoning each year, the Directorate General for Health (DGS) and the InVS reminded mushroom pickers of safety guidelines via a press release dated October 12, 2013.