Epidemiological analysis on mushroom poisoning in China,2004-2011

ObjectiveTo study the prevalence and epidemiological characteristics of mushroom poisoning in China,and to provide reference for early warning and prevention of the poisoning.MethodsThe data on mushroom poisoning during 2004 to 2011 were collected from National Management Information System of Public Health Emergencies and analyzed with descriptive statistics.ResultsTotally 444 outbreaks of mushroom poisoning were reported in China from 2004 to 2011,with 2 856 poisoning cases and 606 deaths.Seasonal variation in mushroom poisoning incident was observed with higher incidence during June to September.More mushroom poisoning events were reported in Yunnan,Guangxi,Sichuan and Guizhou province.A total of 22 species of poisonous mushroom were reported and 6 species were the main poisonous mushrooms,including Agaricales order Amanitaceae family,Amanita genus,Amanita virosa Lam,Amanitaphalloides Secr,and Amanita spissacea Imai.The most of the mushroom poisonings occured in the home sittings,accounting for 85.1%of total number of mushroom poisoning.Wild poisonous mushroom mistaken as wild edible mushroom was the main reason for the poisonings,accounting for 96.8%of total number of mushroom poisoning.ConclusionDeaths caused by mushroom poisoning is one of the main causes of food poisoning deaths.Appropriate countermeasures such as timely warning,health education,improving diagnosis,treatment,testing and on-site treatment capacity should be taken during high occurrences seasons and in high incidence provinces.