SYDNEY - Health authorities in Australia's second-most populous state have issued a warning over wild poisonous mushrooms.

The Department of Health in Victoria on Tuesday warned the state's 7 million residents to be vigilant as poisonous mushrooms become more widespread in the Australian autumn and winter.

It said that death cap mushrooms and yellow-staining mushrooms become more evident in Victoria during the autumn as the weather becomes wetter and cooler.

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Chief Health Officer Christian McGrath said that it is important for Victorians to remove any wild mushrooms growing in home gardens to avoid young children and pets coming into contact with them.

"Adults and children should not touch wild mushrooms with their bare hands, let alone eat them, and animals should be kept well away from them," he said.

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McGrath said that anyone who collects and consumes wild mushrooms of unknown species is putting themselves at risk of poisoning, serious illness and death.

"Unless you are an expert, do not pick and eat wild mushrooms," he said.

The Department of Health said that initial symptoms of poisoning can include stomach pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.