Analysis of hazard in mushroom poisoning incidents in China mainland

Objective To analyze the epidemic characteristics of mushroom poisoning incident in order to find the regularity of outbreak and provide the fundamental guidelines of prophylaxis, control, diagnosis and treatment. Methods According to the reported information from the Management Information System of Public Health Emergency in China mainland, the area-time distribution of mushroom poisoning incidents from 2004 to 2014 was analyzed, and the descriptive analysis of mushrooms poisoning incidents including causes, places, occupation of victims and incidents identification were made from 2010 to 2014. Results In China (excluding Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan), the top five provinces of mushroom poisoning incidents were Yunnan, Guizhou, Sichuan, Guangxi and Hunan. The epidemic peak was reached in summer-autumn season. The major and significant incidents accounted for 76.56% of overall mushroom poisoning incidents, and the fatality rate of 3 701 patients accounted for 21.24% (786 deaths) .The causes were mistaking poisonous mushrooms as edible mushrooms or purchasing poisonous mushrooms in the market by accident. About 87.50% incidents happened at home. Farmers, workers, children and students were easily subjected to mushroom poisoning because of their large range of activities, strong curiosity and lacking related ability for distinguishing edible mushroom from poisonous mushrooms. No identification was done in 200 mushroom poisoning incidents from 2010 to 2014, which accounted for 92.59% of mushroom poisoning incidents in the corresponding period. Standard species identification was carried out only in two poisonous mushroom incidents. Conclusions Mushroom poisoning incident was one of the most important causes of death in per-oral poisoning incidents. It should to cope with surveillance and meticulous management during high prevalence season and in high-risk provinces. At the same time, it should be strengthened to train doctors and health professionals with the knowledge of identification of mushroom poisoning in key areas as well as to develop the health promotion of mushrooms poisoning prevention. Key words: Poisonous mushrooms; Poisoning incidents; Epidemiology