Rare mushroom the reason behind mystery deaths

A small mushroom, barely known by scientists has been cited as the reason for some 400 sudden deaths in China.



For thirty years, during the rainy season, scores of villagers in Yunnan province have suddenly died of cardiac arrest.



After a five-year investigation, researchers from the Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention in Beijing say they have discovered the culprit.



Experts say the mushroom, known as Little White, belongs to the Trogia genus and has three toxic amino acids.



Researchers have found that the deaths caused from what they say is Yunnan Sudden Death Syndrome, occur almost always during rainy season, from June to August.