Northeast Desk, 10th June: Meghalaya has witnessed another tragic loss due to mushroom poisoning, with a 40-year-old woman succumbing to the effects on June 9. Larita Syiemlieh passed away at Bethany Hospital in Nongpoh, just days after her two-year-old grandson died from the same poisoning.
Police reports indicate that Syiemlieh was one of five family members who consumed multicolored mushrooms on the night of June 1. The others included her two daughters, aged 16 and 14, her 25-year-old son, and her young grandson.
Soon after consuming the mushrooms, the family began experiencing severe symptoms, including dysentery and vomiting, leading to their immediate hospitalization. Initially, all five were admitted to the Civil Hospital in Nongpoh. Due to the severity of their conditions, Syiemlieh and her grandson were later transferred to Bethany Hospital for advanced treatment.
While the three family members at the Civil Hospital remained stable, the situation worsened for Syiemlieh and her grandson. The two-year-old boy succumbed to the poisoning early on June 5. Despite medical efforts, Syiemlieh could not recover and passed away on Sunday.
This incident follows another recent case of mushroom poisoning in the region. Last week, four villagers from Laskein C&RD Block in West Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya, also died after consuming poisonous mushrooms.
The recurring mushroom poisoning cases highlight the urgent need for awareness and caution regarding the consumption of wild mushrooms in the region.
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