KATHMANDU: The Ministry of Health and Population has issued a statement urging the public to refrain from consuming wild mushrooms.

The National Health Education, Information, and Communication Center, operating under the Ministry of Health, issued a notice emphasizing this caution.

The advisory follows an alarming rise in fatalities attributed to the ingestion of wild mushrooms in recent years.

The Center has further advised against handling wild mushrooms with bare hands due to their potential toxicity.

As the rainy season progresses, wild mushrooms proliferate, posing a significant health risk.

Consumption of these mushrooms can lead to severe illness and, in some cases, fatalities, it said.