Shillong: A public health crisis is unfolding in Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills District, where 15 cases of mushroom poisoning have been reported since April, resulting in six fatalities. Health officials are on high alert as the monsoon season intensifies, creating ideal conditions for the rapid growth of toxic fungi.
The incidents have largely taken place in rural forested areas where wild mushroom foraging is a longstanding tradition. Victims include both adults and children, with officials confirming that many of the toxic mushrooms closely resemble edible varieties, making them extremely difficult to distinguish by sight alone. “These mushrooms look just like the ones people normally eat,” said a statement from the District Medical & Health Office, highlighting the deceptively dangerous nature of the fungi.
The period between April and October is considered high-risk, as increased humidity supports fungal proliferation. Authorities noted that poisonous mushrooms sometimes find their way into local markets, unknowingly mixed with safe varieties, further escalating the risk of accidental consumption. Cooking, freezing, or boiling does not neutralise the toxins.
Early symptoms of mushroom poisoning typically include abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhoea, but can escalate quickly to severe dehydration, hallucinations, liver damage, and, in the worst cases, coma or death. Health authorities are now scrambling to raise awareness, launching door-to-door campaigns and village meetings to educate the public about identifying warning signs in mushrooms. Residents are being advised to avoid mushrooms that change colour when cut, have a bitter taste, emit a foul odour, or produce a burning sensation when touched or eaten.
Neighbouring Ri Bhoi district has also issued public alerts via social media, urging residents to seek immediate medical help at the first sign of symptoms. Emergency services are accessible via 108 or 112.
As the monsoon rains continue, authorities are appealing for caution, hoping that heightened public awareness will prevent further loss of life during this dangerous season.
Read More: Sikkim’s ‘My Child from Wild’ Program Forges Deep Bonds Between People and Himalayan Wildlife