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According to data from the Department of Food Safety in Hà Giang province, there have been 04 cases of food poisoning in 3 districts: Yên Minh, Đồng Văn, Mèo Vạc, due to consuming wild fruits containing toxins, specifically Hồng Châu fruits, resulting in 13 people affected and 03 fatalities.The Hồng Châu tree typically grows in rocky mountainous areas as a climbing plant. Its bark is light green with sharp thorns, and its leaves are as large as two adult fingers, approximately 11-12cm long, with a dark green color. The fruit is round and smooth, almost the size of a chicken egg. When unripe, the skin is light green, turning purple when ripe and slightly soft. Inside the fruit, there is a pink layer with 4-6 seeds covered in white translucent flesh filled with water. The seeds are slightly flattened and resemble corn kernels in size and shape, with a purple color. Hồng Châu fruits ripen from June to August each year, coinciding with the period of reported poisoning cases, primarily affecting children aged 6-12 years old.
The toxin found in Hồng Châu fruits is alkaloid, located in the seeds. Its toxicity mainly affects cardiac cells and causes acute pulmonary edema. Currently, there is no specific treatment available, so only supportive care and symptomatic treatment can be administered.
