Hospitalized Russian Tourists: Wild Fruit Consumption Causes mass Illness
SOUTHERN THAILAND: A group of seven Russian tourists reportedly fell ill after mistakenly consuming a potentially deadly, local plant while visiting a park in Phanom district, Surat Thani. Five of the tourists were rushed to hospitals.
According to the Bantakhun-Phanom rescue foundation, they received a distress call at 1.33 pm on Sunday. The tourists, who were half-conscious and suffering from chest pain and vomiting, were discoverd in the Khao Na Nai Luang Dharma Park.
Five of the Russian tourists agreed to receive medical attention. Four of them were transferred to Phanom Hospital, where two exhibited excessive salivation and two more continued to vomit profusely. Another tourist was taken to Bantakhun Hospital due to severe chest pain and constant vomiting.
The tourists had arrived in a chartered vehicle from Khao Lak, Phangnga province earlier in the day. While exploring the Khao Na Nai Luang Dharma Park, they consumed a plant that resembles a small mango called the pong pong tree (Cerbera odollam).
This tree is common in coastal Thailand, although it's notoriously toxic. The seeds contain cerberin, a cardiac glycoside that disrupts the heart's electrical activity, leading to severe consequences, such as arrhythmias and heart failure. The lack of a specific antidote makes it crucial to recognize and avoid the pong pong tree.
Two tourists are currently under close watch at Phanom Hospital, suffering from dehydration due to severe vomiting.
It's worth mentioning that the pong pong tree has gained attention due to its presence in The White Lotus, a television series filmed in tourist-heavy areas. This highlights the risk that unfamiliar flora, like the pong pong tree, might pose to travelers who are unaware of their lethal properties.
In conclusion, it's crucial for tourists to exercise caution when exploring unfamiliar territory, especially if they encounter plants that appear unfamiliar or resemble common foods. Always heed warnings about unfamiliar flora to avoid potential dangers.
- The group of seven Russian tourists, who fell ill after consuming a potentially deadly plant in Phanom district, Phangnga province, are currently receiving medical attention at various hospitals.
- The tourists were discovered in the Khao Na Nai Luang Dharma Park, suffering from symptoms such as vomiting, chest pain, and in some cases, hypersalivation.
- The illness was caused by the consumption of the pong pong tree (Cerbera odollam), a notoriously toxic plant common in coastal Thailand that contain cerberin, a cardiac glycoside.
- To prevent similar incidents, travelers are advised to educate themselves about the potential dangers of unfamiliar flora, such as the pong pong tree, and exercise caution when exploring unfamiliar territory.
