Hardly any mushrooms because of dry weather - only few poisonings

Too dry for mushrooms - so far hardly poisoned
In late summer, a warning is given every year about dangerous fungus poisoning. But the dry weather of the last few weeks has led to hardly any mushrooms growing at the moment. Therefore, so far hardly any poisoning was registered.

Due to drought, few fungi grow
Just a few weeks ago, a veritable paradise for mushroom pickers had been predicted due to the weather for this year, especially in the south of the republic. As Bavaria Minister of Health Melanie Huml stated in a statement: "Experts expect this year compared to the dry year 2015, a much better mushroom season for Bavaria." In the north, however, it looks currently not at all. Because of the dryness hardly mushrooms grow there. As a result, there are fewer fungal poisonings.

Due to the dry weather in recent weeks, hardly any mushrooms are growing in northern Germany. Therefore, so far only little mushroom poisoning has been registered. But that could change soon. (Bidl: Günter Menzl / fotolia.com)

September most important for mushroom pickers
According to a message from the news agency dpa, said the co-chief of the Poison Information Center North (GIZ North) in Göttingen, Andreas Schaper, which had been registered only "very few cases".

"Every year, most cases occur in late summer. In addition, there are large differences between individual years, "it says on the website of the GIZ North, on which a graph of the mushroom cases from early 2009 until the end of August 2016 can be found.

As Schaper explained, September was in recent years, with more than 200 suspected cases being the month with the most actual or suspected fungal poisoning in northern Germany. "If it rains now, but the numbers will soon rise significantly this year," said the expert. September is the most important month for mushroom pickers.

Unusually many poisonings in June
According to Schaper, there were unusually many mushroom poisonings this year in June. According to GIZ North, about 75 suspected cases were reported, about twice as many as in "normal" years for this month. "When it's humid and warm, the mushrooms grow. Then there are also many poisonings, "explained the expert. If fungi grow worse due to the relative drought, the number of cases of intoxication also decreases.

Consumption of tuberous mushroom can be fatal
According to Schaper, the consumption of tuber-leaf mushrooms is the most common cause of poisoning. The poison can cause discomfort such as diarrhea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In severe cases, it can attack the liver and even destroy it completely.

"The tuber fungus is a fungus that can kill people," warned the expert. Although there were no deaths this year, "We already had cases of suspicion. Last with a child. "

Hard to distinguish from poisonous varieties
According to the information, there had been repeated deaths in northern Germany in recent years following the mistaken consumption of tuber-leaved mushrooms. In 2015, a mushroom picker from Bremerhaven lost his life. In the Lüneburg Heath was warned specifically against poisonous tubers mushrooms.

For refugees from Syria there is a special danger, as there are edible mushrooms, which are hardly distinguishable from the poisonous variety in Germany. Last autumn, a 16-year-old Syrian refugee who accidentally consumed tuberous mushrooms died in Münster. In case of suspected poisoning sufferers would necessarily be taken to a hospital where they could give them an antidote, said GIZ expert Schaper. (Ad)