Mushroom poisoning kills 4 women in 1 week in Kumaon

Time of India

18-07-2025

Nainital: A 23-year-old woman from Ranikhet died during treatment for mushroom poisoning, marking the fourth such death in Kumaon within a week. The woman had consumed wild mushrooms some days ago with her husband.
Both fell ill that night with vomiting and diarrhoea and were hospitalised for three days. But while the husband survived, she died.
Dr Arun Joshi, principal of Susheela Tiwari Hospital in Haldwani where the woman was being treated, said: "The patient's lungs were infected, electrolyte balance was severely disrupted, and respiratory system had collapsed. Despite efforts, she couldn't be saved."
On July 13, renowned folk singer Ganesh Martolia's sister, Diya, and their grandmother, Kunti Devi, died in Munsyari after eating a similar variety of wild mushrooms.
That same day, a woman from Kuwari village in Bageshwar district also succumbed to mushroom poisoning.
In response to the deaths in Munsyari, a three-member expert committee was formed on Thursday to submit a fact-based report within 48 hours, following directions from Dr Sunita Tamta, director general of medical health and family welfare. The probe will examine treatment protocols, referral timing, and lapses if any.
Tamta warned that negligence or violations would lead to strict disciplinary action.
Health experts have expressed concern over the rising number of such poisonings. Senior physician Dr M S Dugtal stressed the importance of public awareness. "Early intervention is critical. If vomiting is induced promptly and the patient reaches hospital within 3 to 4 hours, chances of survival increase. Delays drastically reduce that," he said.
Dr Lalit Tewari, botany professor at Kumaun University, said that wild mushrooms contain lethal toxins that can cause liver or kidney failure, seizures, coma, or death, sometimes within hours. Most foragers lack formal training, and traditional knowledge isn't always reliable. Toxins like amatoxins present in Amanita mushrooms have no antidote and may show symptoms only after 6 to 24 hours, further delaying treatment.
"Buy mushrooms from trusted sources, avoid unidentified varieties, spread awareness through schools and health workers, and never rely on home remedies in poisoning cases," he advised.