Fourteen Children Fall Ill After Eating Toxic Fruit

Fourteen children have fallen ill after mistakenly consuming a toxic fruit they believed to be edible nuts in Meherpur’s Gangni upazila, prompting concern in the local community and a rush for medical attention.

The incident occurred on Sunday afternoon in Saharbati village, where a group of children were playing outdoors as part of their usual routine. While playing near a roadside area, they came across the fruit of a tree locally known as “jiyala”, commonly identified as Barbados nut. Mistaking it for edible almonds or similar nuts, the children ate several of the fruits, drawn by their mild and slightly sweet taste.

Although no immediate symptoms were observed at the time, the situation changed by evening. As the children returned home, they began to experience severe stomach pain, followed by repeated vomiting. Concerned family members quickly realised that multiple children who had been playing together were suffering from similar symptoms and rushed them to the Gangni Upazila Health Complex and nearby local clinics.

Nine of the affected children were admitted to hospital for treatment, while five others received initial medical care and were allowed to return home under observation. The admitted children include Mustakin (12), Kafi (12), Amena Khatun (3), Halima (9), Raktima (11), Riad (11), Ferdous (10), Fuad (12), and Mostakim (9).

Relatives described the sudden onset of illness as alarming. One mother, Rozina Khatun, said her son began crying from intense abdominal pain shortly after sunset. She added that it was only after speaking with other families that they discovered several children from the same group were affected, prompting a collective decision to seek hospital treatment.

Medical staff at Gangni Upazila Health Complex confirmed that the children had been affected after consuming the fruit of the jiyala tree. Medical Officer Dr Omar Faruk stated that ingestion of the fruit or its leaves can lead to symptoms such as abdominal pain, vomiting, and acute diarrhoea. He added that all hospitalised children had received necessary treatment and were now out of danger.

Health officials have advised parents and guardians in the area to remain vigilant and to educate children about avoiding unknown fruits and seeds found in open environments, particularly those growing in roadside or wild conditions.