Beware of the Canberra woods
Canberrans have been warned of potentially deadly threats from the air and on the ground.
A report on the ABC news said that at least one person is in hospital with suspected wild mushroom poisoning. And there’s been a spike in the number of people bitten by bats, which can carry a dangerous virus.
Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Health says the world’s most deadly fungus – the death cap mushroom – is abundant throughout the ACT and south eastern Australia in autumn.
ACT Health’s John Woollard, says the toxic mushroom causes liver failure and has killed two ACT residents within the last fourteen years.
Meanwhile health authorities are urging Canberra residents to be wary of bats, after a spike in the number of people requiring treatment. ACT Health says all bites and scratches must be treated because bats can transmit the dangerous Lyssavirus.
The agency says eight people have been treated for bat bites and scratches within the last six weeks.
Acting chief health officer, Eddie O’Brien, believes more people are attempting to free bats trapped in netting used to protect fruit trees.
Dr O’Brien says people should not touch bats and instead should contact the RSPCA for help.
