JK News Today
Rajouri, July 11: A suspected case of wild mushroom poisoning has left seven members of a family, including six children and a woman, hospitalised in Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri district. While six patients are reported to be in stable condition, one child remains in critical condition and is under close medical observation.
The incident occurred in Gadyog village, near Badhal in the Kotranka subdivision of Rajouri district. According to officials, the family had consumed naturally growing wild mushrooms collected from the nearby forest area. Within hours of eating the mushrooms, all seven members developed severe abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhoea and symptoms of acute gastroenteritis on Thursday evening.
As their condition deteriorated, local residents alerted the Health Department. A medical team, accompanied by two ambulances, rushed to the village and shifted the patients to the Community Health Centre (CHC), Kandi, where they were provided initial treatment.
Considering the seriousness of the situation, doctors referred all seven patients to the Government Medical College (GMC) and Associated Hospital, Rajouri, where they were admitted in the early hours of Friday for specialised treatment.
Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Rajouri, Dr. Manohar Lal Rana, said the timely response by the Health Department ensured that all patients received immediate medical attention without delay.
Medical Superintendent of GMC Rajouri, Dr. Shamim Ahmed, said treatment for all seven patients is underway. He confirmed that six patients are now out of danger, while one child continues to be in a critical but closely monitored condition.
Hospital authorities said doctors and medical staff are monitoring the patients round the clock to ensure the best possible care.
Preliminary investigations by the Police and the Health Department suggest that the illness was caused by the consumption of a poisonous wild mushroom collected from the area. Samples of the mushroom have been sent for examination, and further investigation is in progress.
The hospital identified the patients as Mohammad Zahir (12), Mohammad Saleem (13), Zabeer Ahmed (3), Safeena Begum (3), Waqar Ali (11), Sultan Khan (5) and Shaheen Akhter (25).
Health experts have once again warned the public against consuming wild mushrooms without proper scientific identification, noting that several species closely resemble edible mushrooms but contain deadly toxins capable of causing severe poisoning and even death. Authorities have urged residents to avoid collecting or consuming wild mushrooms from forests or open fields unless verified as safe.
The condition of the critically ill child continues to be closely watched by doctors as treatment progresses.
