Poisonous Mushroom kills six in Beatrice

Man with wild mushroom

Four more people died on Sunday of mushroom poisoning in Beatrice, taking the death toll in that area to six since last week.

Mashonaland East acting police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Thando Madhoyo said two people who died at Chitungwiza Hospital were part of a family of six that was hospitalised after eating poisonous mushrooms.

Two other family members — a seven-year-old girl and her nine-year-old sister — died earlier. He said Constance Jossam (3) and Remembrance Dzumbunu (13) ate the mushrooms picked by Maria Kwenda of Kerryboom Farm.

Kwenda is the mother of the two deceased girls. The bodies were at Chitungwiza General Hospital mortuary for post-mortems.

In a related incident, Shingirirai Mupfuti (35) and her 15-year- old daughter Eunice Bauti of Albion Farm in Beatrice also died of suspected mushroom poisoning.

Asst Insp Madhoyo said Mupfuti picked the mushrooms on Friday from a bush near their home.

"The two complained of terrible stomach pains that night.

"On Saturday, they went to Beatrice Hospital and were immediately transferred to Chitungwiza General Hospital.

"They were, however, pronounced dead on Sunday and their bodies are also at Chitungwiza General Hospital awaiting a post-mortem," Asst Insp Madhoyo said.

Police have urged people not to eat mushrooms they are not familiar with, as some types are highly toxic.

Asst Insp Madhoyo said even experienced mushroom gatherers were at risk and people should simply avoid ingesting anything they are not sure of.