Dogs dies after consuming wild mushroom

TURA, APR 19: Three dogs who had consumed wild mushroom had also died along with the elderly woman and a minor after at Rongdong village near Siju in South Garo hills on Monday.

The death of the elderly women has forced the district surveillance officer to issue an advisory to the public not to consume wild mushroom, which are widely available in Garo hills forest.

“After getting reports that seven persons from a family and a neighbour were taken ill by consuming wild mushroom, we went for an investigation to the village and learned that two from the family had died and the rest were critically ill. We have collected the sample from the nearby forest and have sent it to food safety officer for necessary investigation”, said Dr. Jacob Marak, district survillence officer, South Garo hills.

Marak informed that they held a meeting with the villagers of the neigbouring areas and asked them not to consume wild mushroom, which can proved to be fatal. He also said that their office has issued an advisory in South Garo hills warning the people not to consume wild mushroom.

As per the report from the district survillence officer, the family had collected the mushroom from the forest on April 14 and consume on the same day. On the next day, all the family members and an elderly neigbour, who had consumed the mushroom started feeling nausea and uneasiness.

They were taken to Siju PHC, which is about 12 km from Rongdong village. They were given first aid and referred to Tura for further treatment. On April 16, six of them were brought to Tura and admitted at different hospitals.

Four years old Bikame Marak expired on her way to Tura civil hospital on Monday, while Jonila Marak, 65 expired at Tura Civil hospital. One and half year old Chuyanka Marak, who was admitted at Tura Maternity and Child Hospital is out of danger. Sundila M. Sangma, 68 has been referred to a hospital in Goalpara, Assam.

The condition of Tebiang Marak, 6, Roben Sangma, 26, Anilla Marak, 35, Rosbirth Marak, 10 are said to be critical and are undergoing treatment at Tura Christian Hospital and Tura Civil Hospital.

Three dogs who had consumed the food on the same day also died.-From Our Correspondent