At least four people have died after consuming wild mushrooms in Bhujhing of Lungri Rural Municipality-5 in Rolpa district, since July 11. Around a dozen people who also consumed wild mushrooms are in critical condition and are receiving treatment in various hospitals.

A seven-year-old girl from Bhujhing village fell sick after consuming wild mushrooms on July 11. She was immediately rushed to the Universal Medical College in Bhairahawa for treatment. She died on July 18.

On July 16, three members of the same family in the Bhujhing village died after eating wild mushrooms. According to Inspector Prakash Bhusal of the District Police Office, 33-year-old Bhima Gurung and her two children aged 11 and six years fell ill after consuming wild mushrooms. They were taken to the Butwal-based Lumbini Provincial Hospital where they died while undergoing treatment.

Locals from different parts of Lungri Rural Municipality have fallen ill after consuming wild mushrooms since the beginning of the monsoon season, said Bhusal.

Bimala BK, a 26-year-old woman, 24-year-old Akriti BK, and a six-year-old from the Dalit community also from Bhujhing village also fell seriously ill on July 11.

According to Bharat Thapa, chairman of the Lungri Rural Municipality, they were first taken to a Primary Health Centre at Sulichaur, which referred them to Butwal City Hospital. But the patients could not reach Butwal on the same day. They were taken to the hospital on July 14.

Bimala is in a very critical condition and has been admitted to the ICU, said Thapa.

“Around a dozen people in the rural municipality are still sick after consuming wild mushrooms and are receiving treatment at different hospitals and health facilities,” said Thapa. “To prevent any further casualties, we are conducting awareness programmes with the help of the District Public Health Office. Health workers have also been deployed in the rural municipality for immediate aid.”

The rural municipality is providing financial relief to patients for treatment at various hospitals, he added.