Cases of mushroom poisoning are not uncommon in Meghalaya where people may not be able to identify poisonous fungus.
The state’s diverse flora and abundant mushroom varieties with the lack of knowledge can increase the risk of accidental consumption of toxic mushrooms, leading to severe health consequences.
So far 27 cases of mushroom poisoning have been reported in the state this year with the loss of four lives due consumption of the wild fungus.
The office of the Mission Director, National Health Mission (NHM) said that this is a significant increase compared to 2023, with 40 cases and no deaths.
This has prompted the NHM to issue an advisory listing the expected symptoms. The advisory said poisonous mushrooms lead to upset stomach (nausea, vomiting, and cramps) and in severe cases victims feel thirsty, sweating, hallucinations, coma and liver damage.
“Eating wild mushrooms can be dangerous! Some mushrooms contain toxins that can make you very sick,” the NHM said.
It also warned citizens to never eat a wild mushroom especially if the identity of the mushroom is in doubt or unknown. “Be cautious about where you collect mushrooms; they can absorb toxins from the environment,” it stated.
According to the NHM, the State Surveillance Unit of the Integrated Disease Surveillance Program (IDSP) has noticed an increasing trend as cases of mushroom poisoning mostly occur during the monsoon months from May to October
It may be mentioned that the consumption of poisonous wild mushrooms have devastated families in West Jaintia Hills and Ri Bhoi, leaving four dead and numerous others fighting for their lives in hospital.
Three children and an adult from the same family died after consuming mushrooms in Saphai village. In Saiden village a three year old boy lost his life and four others were reported critically ill.
