Karishmita Saikia
Assam faces a unique challenge that intertwines tradition along with health risks: the consumption of wild mushrooms. Wild mushrooms pose significant health risks due to their potential toxicity.
Golaghat District, like many other regions of the state, experiences cases of mushroom poisoning each year. The lack of knowledge among people about identifying safe varieties contributes to this problem.
What the Health Department authorities says?
Pratidin Time Digital Desk recently approached the Director of Health Services, Golaghat district to enquire about how the people in the district have been affected after the consumption of mushrooms. An official of the Office of the joint director, Health Service, Golaghat, not willing to be named, said that as compared to the last year, the number of cases have subsequently reduced. However, on inquiring about the number of cases in the past 10 years in the district, the health official could not produce significant data. This comes as a shock regarding an issue which has been plaguing the district for the last two decades.
The health official confirmed that in the year 2023, a total of 53 cases were reported along with four deaths in the Golaghat district. Among these, three persons died in Merapani and another in Khumtai regions. On the other hand, in 2024, there has been no loss of lives due to the consumption of mushrooms till date, however, 30 people were hospitalized, showing a reduction in the number of cases, confirmed the health official.
Differentiating poisonous and edible mushrooms
A grave issue underlying amid the information that we have established is that the health officials could not give a proper clarification to differentiate poisonous and edible mushrooms, hence asking people not to consume mushrooms at all. When asked about how would people identify edible and poisonous mushrooms, the health official commented that people have been advised to avoid eating mushrooms completely as there is no proper way to distinguish between them.
Now, the need of the hour is how to make the people in vulnerable regions aware of mushroom varieties and know the difference between edible mushrooms and poisonous ones. When we looked into some reports, we found that there are some apparent rules for picking safe mushrooms.
The characteristics that differentiate safe and toxic mushroom are:
* Mushrooms featuring red caps or red stem should be avoided
* Mushrooms featuring white gills, which is a ring on stem should be avoided
* Mushrooms with sack or bulbous base; should be avoided.
* Not all mushrooms with bulbous bases are poisonous, but the important thing is that you are on the safer side,
Identifying mushrooms correctly is a critical aspect of public health and safety. Edible mushrooms can provide nutritional benefits and culinary enjoyment, while poisonous ones pose significant health risks, ranging from gastrointestinal distress to organ failure and, in severe cases, even death.
Health Department’s Challenge
This has turned into a failure and a challenge of the Health Department to differentiate between these varieties effectively undermining public trust and safety. It is imperative that robust training and resources be allocated to ensure that all staff members involved in mushroom identification is adequately educated and equipped. The Health Department must take immediate steps to address these shortcomings and implement rigorous protocols to enhance their ability to accurately identify mushrooms.
How have the health workers spread awareness
A health official shed light on the various measures which have been initiated to mitigate health risks associated with mushrooms including awareness programs on responsible consumption and promoting health-seeking behavior. According to the official, "The district health teams have been formed for complete surveillance across Golaghat. Further, Block Health Teams look after the management and awareness programs at the block levels. All health workers, CHO, district rapid response teams, ANM, etc. have been engaged in active surveillance, informed a health official. In several vulnerable areas, initiatives like making announcements, leaflet distribution, and placing banners have also been undertaken."
Impact of the awareness
However, these measures have hardly been seen making any impact on the masses in the district. The reason may be that wild mushrooms hold cultural significance as a delicacy and are often foraged during specific seasons. Reports of people being hospitalized by consuming mushrooms in different part of the district often makes headlines.
In conclusion, the challenge of mushroom poisoning in Golaghat District underscores the critical need for robust public health measures intertwined with cultural practices. While wild mushrooms hold cultural significance and are enjoyed as delicacies, the risks associated with misidentification and toxicity is severe, as evidenced by reported cases and fatalities. Clear guidelines and ongoing education are essential to empower communities to make informed decisions about mushroom consumption. Balancing cultural traditions with public health imperatives requires a multifaceted approach that respects local practices while safeguarding community well-being.
