Don't eat wild mushrooms, Toronto Public Health says

Public health authorities in Toronto are warning people not to eat wild mushrooms after a resident was hospitalized after eating a poisonous variety.

Toronto Public Health says the patient consumed a type of wild mushroom identified as Amanita, which it says can be fatal.

An official refused to comment on the patient's condition, citing confidentiality.

In a statement, the agency reminds the public not to pick and eat mushrooms found growing in the wild. It says some varieties may look similar to mushrooms that are safe to consume, but are in fact poisonous.

Symptoms most commonly associated with eating poisonous mushrooms include nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps and diarrhea. More severe symptoms include sweating, convulsions, hallucinations and coma.

Health officials say deaths are rare and most people recover from eating poisonous mushrooms, but residents should play it safe.