Botha-Bothe, Apr. 05 — Botha- Bothe Hospital has lost an 81-year-old male after being treated in the hospital for two days with his 87 Year-old friend. The two are said to have started falling sick after eating wild mushrooms.
In an interview with the Agency today, Botha-Bothe District Health Inspector, Ms. Kananelo Taoana, pointed out that the two are reported to be friends but it is not clear why they were together that night.
She said while doing investigations after the two were admitted to the hospital with symptoms of diarrhoea, vomiting, fatigue, and low blood pressure they found out that the two ate mushrooms for dinner on Saturday evening.
Ms. Taoana said it is not the first time that the District loses a life from the consumption of wild mushrooms. She said in an effort to educate people about the danger of wild mushrooms, they have held several public gatherings.
She added that the challenge they have realized while investigating the matter is that people do not have the knowledge to distinguish between edible mushrooms and wild mushrooms.
She advised people to deter from eating any kind of mushroom if it is not from legally registered shops.
She indicated that people should also visit hospitals and clinics on time when they get sick as he indicated that these two waited until Monday to get to the hospital.
On the other hand, the Ministry of Health released a statement yesterday warning the public about the consumption of wild mushrooms. The statement shows that Botha- Bothe hospital has treated 7 people and a child last year for eating wild mushrooms.
The statement continues to show that last year in November at Leribe, Peka, Ha Mokhoro there were people who were treated after eating wild mushrooms and three of those people died.
Furthermore, in Qacha’s Nek in the month of March 2023, three people also died at Ha Nkhahle on the same issue of wild mushrooms.
Ends BM
