Canberrans warned not to eat toxic death cap mushrooms

Canberrans are being warned to stay away from toxic death cap mushrooms after the first sighting of them this year.

The mushroom season will begin as the temperature in the ACT drops, sparking the warning to not pick or eat them.

ACT chief health officer Kerryn Coleman says all parts of the mushroom are poisonous and cooking them does not make them safe to eat.

"If you think you have eaten a death cap mushroom, seek urgent medical attention at a hospital emergency department and take any remaining mushroom to the hospital for identification," Dr Coleman said.

"Symptoms of poisoning generally occur six-to-24 hours or more after eating mushrooms, and include pains, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea."

Death cap mushrooms often grow near oak trees and can be found when there is wet weather.

Since 2002 there have been four deaths and a number of poisonings from death cap mushrooms in the ACT.

Canberrans can contact Access Canberra on 13 22 81 to report any mushrooms found in public areas.