4 others rushed to Guwahati hospital in critical condition
Tura: The death toll from mushroom poisoning at Rongdong village of Siju has risen to three following the death of another victim from the same family on Tuesday.
The health condition of 7-year-old Tebiangku S Marak, who was undergoing treatment at the Child and maternity hospital in Tura, took a turn for the worse on Tuesday.
He was being shifted to Guwahati for advanced medical care along with his mother on Tuesday afternoon but died on the way at Bajengdoba.
His younger sister Bikame, aged four years, died while being brought from Siju to Tura on Sunday evening while his grandmother Jonila Marak (65) passed away at the Tura civil hospital early Monday morning.
Meanwhile, three other family members, mother Anila (35), nephew Rosbirth Marak (10), Roben Sangma (26) and a neighbour Sundila M Sangma have been rushed to Guwahati in a critical condition.
Only one and a half year infant Chuyanka Marak has been reported to be out of danger and under treatment in Tura.
A medical probe into the tragedy has reportedly revealed that the family had collected the wild mushrooms from Rongdong forest on Thursday and consumed it the same day. Their neighbour Sundila M Sangma had also consumed the same mushrooms.
However, the symptoms of poisoning, nausea and uneasiness, began to take effect the next day by which time two of the family dogs fed the same meal had also died.
The affected family members were initially admitted to Siju health centre but as their condition deteriorated they were shifted to Tura.
Precious time is believed to have been lost before advanced medical care could be provided which resulted in this tragedy.
Following the deaths from mushroom poisoning, the surveillance unit of the health department has issued a strong advisory to the public not to consume wild mushrooms which are found widely available in the forests of Garo Hills.
A surveillance team from South Garo Hills health department has also paid a visit to the affected village of Rongdong and briefed the villagers about the dangers from mushroom poisoning.
A sample of the mushroom which was cooked by the affected family has also been collected and sent for investigation.