Several individuals have been hospitalized at Sørlandet Hospital in Kristiansand after consuming toxic mushrooms, marking the highest number of such cases in years.

The mushrooms, identified as potentially being the deadly spiss giftslørsopp or butt giftslørsopp, can cause severe kidney damage even in small amounts.

Symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain may appear after two days, with a high risk of kidney failure within three to ten days.

Thor Kristian Støle, head of the medical department at the hospital, emphasizes the importance of recognizing these symptoms and advises only consuming mushrooms you are certain about.

He warns that the dangerous spiss giftslørsopp often grows in the same environment as the edible funnel chanterelle, leading to frequent mix-ups.

Støle recommends using digital or local mushroom control services to ensure safety.