Namuna Chepang, a six-year-old of Kulbang, Ichchhakamana Rural Municipality-1, died at home on the morning of May 15 after consuming wild mushrooms. She was a Grade 2 student at National Secondary School in Hattibang. Sajan Chepang and Manita Chepang also became seriously ill after eating the mushrooms. They have been brought to Bharatpur Hospital for treatment. All three belong to the same family. Sajan studies in Grade 3 and Manita in Grade 5 at Hattibang School. Although they became ill after consuming the mushrooms last Tuesday, they remained at home. Villagers learned about the incident only after Namuna died on the morning of May 15. After that, villagers collectively brought the sick Sajan and Manita to the hospital, informed Hattibang School Principal Lok Bahadur Magar.
Among the patients, Manita Chepang, 12, is undergoing treatment at Bharatpur Hospital in critical condition. Senior physician and Assistant Medical Superintendent Dr. Pramod Paudel said that Manita’s condition is serious and she is being treated on a ventilator. On Tuesday, the three children had consumed the mushrooms together with their father, Shyam Bahadur Chepang, and mother, Padmamaya Chepang.
Ward Chairperson Sant Bahadur Magar said that after one child died, the other two were rushed to the hospital. The hospital has also asked for the parents, who are still at home, to be brought in for examination. Hattibang School Principal Lok Bahadur Magar said that symptoms can appear later in adults, so arrangements are being made to bring the parents to the hospital as well. According to Dr. Pramod Paudel, wild mushrooms contain a toxin called amanita. It affects the liver and can lead to liver failure. It gradually affects the brain, causes unconsciousness, and can also damage the kidneys, often resulting in death.