Jimsonweed can be cause of poisoning

ATLANTA, Feb. 4 (UPI) -- Health officials should be aware of the signs of anticholinergic toxicity and consider jimsonweed poisoning as a cause of illness, U.S. health officials say.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report released Thursday says that in July 2008, six adult family members were admitted to a hospital in Maryland with signs and symptoms of anticholinergic toxicity that included hallucinations, confusion, dilated pupils and rapid heart rate after sharing a meal of homemade stew.

Subsequent investigation by the Montgomery County health officials determined the stew contained jimsonweed -- Datura stramonium.

"Healthcare providers and public health officials should be aware of the signs and symptoms of anticholinergic toxicity and should consider jimsonweed poisoning as a cause of food-related outbreaks of anticholinergic toxicity," the report says.

"To avoid future incidents, people should not consume unknown plants."

Jimsonweed, also known as Jamestown weed, got this name from the town of Jamestown, Va., where British soldiers were drugged with it while attempting to suppress Bacon's Rebellion. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says it to be unfit for human consumption.

The Gazette, a weekly community newspaper in Maryland, reported last July the toxic plant was mixed into the potato stew six of 12 people ate at a Gaithersburg family dinner. A Montgomery County Health Ddepartment spokeswoman said at the time an elderly family member made the stew using plants from the family herb garden.