Sample of poisonous mushroom in Van Ban district tested positive for Psilocin toxin

The National Institute for Food Safety and Hygiene has sent the results of mushroom sample testing to serve the investigation of the food poisoning case that occurred in Khanh Yen Ha commune, Van Ban district on May 23, and found the mushroom sample positive for the toxin Psilocin.

Previously, on May 24, the Lao Cai Province Food Safety and Hygiene Department sent a dispatch to the National Institute for Food Safety and Hygiene Control to support sample testing to serve the investigation of food poisoning, along with mushroom samples that caused 3 people in Sung 2 village, Khanh Yen Ha commune, Van Ban district to be poisoned on May 23 and had to be treated in the hospital.

Poisoning patients treated at the Provincial General Hospital.

The National Institute for Food Safety Control conducted research, reviewed the criteria, performed analysis and had initial test results, detecting that the mushroom sample was positive for Psilocin toxin.

Test results of the National Institute for Food Safety and Hygiene.

Psilocin is a toxin found in mushrooms that causes mental disorders. Magic mushrooms contain Psilocine (or Psilotsin) and Psilocybine, which are hallucinogenic substances that are on the List of Prohibited Drugs in most countries. In Vietnam, magic mushrooms are prohibited under Decree No. 73/2018/ND-CP dated May 15, 2018 of the Government regulating the List of Drugs and Precursors.

Symptoms of neuropsychiatric disorders appear within 20 to 60 minutes after eating mushrooms, including: hallucinations, hearing, vision and sometimes tactile disorders, skin paresthesia, emotional disorders... This condition is very dangerous because the mushroom user attacks others because he thinks he is being harmed. Some other symptoms include dilated pupils, rapid pulse, high blood pressure, vomiting, blushing, muscle weakness, convulsions, coma (in very severe cases).

Currently, 3 patients with mushroom poisoning after treatment at the Emergency Department and Intensive Care Department, Provincial General Hospital have been discharged.

Van Ban District Medical Center has issued a document to strengthen food safety and prevent poisoning caused by natural toxins in the area. At the same time, it has urged commune health stations in the area to step up propaganda and raise people's awareness of preventing and combating food poisoning, including mushroom poisoning.

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