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Jul 26, 2008 1:43 pm US/Eastern

Health Officials Warn Against Eating Wild Mushroom

ALBANY (AP) ― Three cases of mushroom poisoning—one fatal—have prompted state health officials to warn against eating wild mushrooms.

The Health Department says a Westchester County resident died from eating toxic wild mushrooms earlier this month, and two Rensselaer County residents were hospitalized with severe illness from eating wild mushrooms.

Edward Horn of the Health Department says several mushrooms that grow in the Northeast are poisonous. He said people who aren't absolutely certain a mushroom is safe should err on the side of caution and avoid eating it.

Wild mushrooms are especially numerous in wet weather conditions. The Health Department says the three poisonings were all from eating a mushroom known as the "Death Angel" or "Destroying Angel," which resembles the common white mushroom sold in supermarkets when it's young.