Health and Medical

Poisonous Mushrooms - Health Alert

Status: Active

Date issued: 20 April 2026

Issued by: Dr Caroline McElnay, Chief Health Officer

Issued to: Health professionals and Victorian community 

Key messages

• Poisionus mushrooms including death cap and yellow-staining mushrooms appear in Victoria during autumn, as the weather becomes wetter and cooler. 
• Consuming even a single death cap mushroom may result in death.
• Cooking, peeling or drying these mushrooms does not remove or inactivate the poison.
• There is no home test available to distinguish safe and edible mushrooms from poisonous mushrooms. 
• Mushrooms purchased from a supermarket, greengrocer or other reputable source are safe to eat. 
• Do not pick and eat wild mushrooms in Victoria, including from your home garden, unless you are an expert.
• Remove any mushrooms growing in home gardens that you're unsure about as young children and pets can easily eat them, ensure you are wearing gloves. 
• if you suspect you or anyone in your care may have eaten poisonous mushroom, do not wait for symptoms to occur.  Call the Victorian Poisons Center immediatley on 13 11 26 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week, Australia wide for appropriate advice. 
• Pet owners should take particular care in areas where mushrooms may grow.

Thank you, Nurse Belinda