Eleven members of an Amish family, including a 1-year-old child, were hospitalized in Pennsylvania after ingesting wild mushrooms, local authorities reported. The incident occurred in Peach Bottom Township in southeastern Pennsylvania.
According to Gregory Fantom, spokesperson for the Delta-Cardiff Volunteer Fire Company, a family member mentioned that they fell ill after consuming wild mushrooms that were found in the woods and brought home for dinner. Due to the family's Amish background, the individual had to walk half a mile to a telephone booth to call 911 as they did not have a telephone.
The affected individuals included a man, a woman, and nine children aged between 1 and 39. While it was confirmed that they ingested wild mushrooms, the specific type was not disclosed and would require verification by the hospital.
Emergency medical services Chief Laura Taylor stated that the family was transported to WellSpan York Hospital for treatment. Fortunately, all 11 patients were treated and released overnight.
Incidents of toxic mushroom ingestions are not uncommon in the United States, with over 6,000 cases reported annually. The National Library of Medicine highlights that misidentification of mushroom species is a leading cause of poisonings, with more than half of the cases involving children under 6 years old.
The Pennsylvania State Police and York County Sheriff’s Office have not provided any comments on the matter. Peach Bottom Township is located near the Pennsylvania-Maryland state line, approximately 60 miles south of Harrisburg.
