Listen to the article
A deadly outbreak in California has been linked to the consumption of death cap mushrooms, which are often mistaken for safe, edible varieties. The poisonings have caused severe liver damage in both children and adults, resulting in three deaths, three liver transplants, and 35 hospitalizations as of January 6, according to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH).
Health officials have issued an urgent warning to residents, advising them not to pick or eat wild mushrooms at this time. The CDPH emphasized that death cap mushrooms, scientifically known as Amanita phalloides, remain “poisonous even after cooking, boiling, freezing, or drying.”
The California Poison Control System has identified cases across Northern California and the Central Coast, from Sonoma to San Luis Obispo, between November 18 and January 6. Those affected range in age from 19 months to 67 years old. Officials attribute the recent surge in toxic mushroom growth to increased rainfall in the region.
Death cap mushrooms contain toxins that can cause amatoxin poisoning, which initially presents with symptoms including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and dehydration. These symptoms typically appear within six to 24 hours after ingestion.
“You might not get symptoms for the first five or six hours, and that’s just by nature of the breakdown of the toxin in the stomach. Then you get the nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea,” explained Dr. Lauren Shawn, a board-certified emergency medicine physician and medical toxicologist at Northwell Health Phelps Hospital in New York.
What makes death cap mushroom poisoning particularly dangerous is that the initial symptoms may resolve within a day, giving victims a false sense of security. However, serious or even fatal liver damage can develop two to four days later as the toxin continues to attack the liver cells.
“It takes some time for the toxin to actually damage the cell, which is why people don’t show up with liver failure until a day or two after,” Dr. Shawn added.
Dr. Adam Berman, associate chair of emergency medicine and medical toxicologist at Long Island Jewish Medical Center in New York, explained that amatoxin “damages many types of cells in the human body, but especially liver cells.”
“Because of the damage caused by the death cap mushroom, the liver is no longer able to function properly. Without a functional liver, the body begins to fail and can quickly die,” Dr. Berman warned.
Diagnosing amatoxin poisoning presents challenges for healthcare providers, as there is no widely available rapid test for detection. Instead, clinicians rely on exposure history, symptoms, and liver tests to make their diagnosis.
Medical experts recommend that anyone who has consumed wild mushrooms should seek immediate medical attention and follow up with their primary care physician or a liver specialist to monitor for liver failure. Dr. Shawn advises bringing leftover mushrooms or photographs to help with identification, noting that “a poison center can call a mycologist and actually identify what the mushroom is.”
Both toxicologists strongly support the California health agency’s warning against foraging wild mushrooms. Dr. Berman emphasized the difficulty in identification, saying, “The death cap mushroom can look to the untrained eye like many common and non-toxic mushrooms, which often makes it difficult to spot and avoid. Because of this, it is best to not go looking for wild mushrooms to eat, especially in areas where the death cap mushroom commonly grows.”
Dr. Shawn reinforced this caution with a sobering saying: “There are old mushroom foragers, there are bold mushroom foragers, but there are no old, bold mushroom foragers. It’s a risky thing and you really have to know what you’re doing.”
The CDPH recommends purchasing mushrooms only from trusted grocery stores and retailers, exercising caution when buying from street vendors, and keeping children and pets away from wild mushrooms. Those in affected areas who believe they may have ingested a death cap mushroom should contact the California Poison Control System hotline at 1-800-222-1222 and seek medical attention immediately.
Fact Checker
Verify the accuracy of this article using The Disinformation Commission analysis and real-time sources.
13 Comments
It’s heartbreaking to hear about these deaths and illnesses caused by toxic mushrooms. While wild foraging can be tempting, the risks are clearly too high. I hope the authorities are able to determine the source and take steps to prevent further incidents.
Yes, this is a stark reminder that mushroom identification is extremely challenging, even for experts. Consuming the wrong species can have devastating consequences. I’m glad the state is taking action to warn the public.
This is a tragic situation. Wild mushroom poisoning is a serious public health issue that deserves urgent attention. I commend the state for quickly issuing a warning and hope they can work to educate the public about the dangers of foraging for unknown mushrooms.
Tragic to see the consequences of mistaken mushroom identification. Even though some wild varieties may be tempting, the risks are simply too high. I hope the authorities are able to determine the source and spread of these toxic mushrooms to prevent further harm. Public education on mushroom safety is critical.
Tragic to hear about these deaths from toxic mushrooms. Foraging for wild edibles can be risky if you don’t have expert knowledge. Health officials are right to issue urgent warnings and advise the public to avoid picking or eating unknown mushrooms.
Agreed, it’s critical that people heed these warnings. Consuming the wrong mushrooms can be incredibly dangerous, even fatal. Proper identification is essential for safe foraging.
This is a heartbreaking situation. My condolences to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives. I’m glad the state is taking action to warn the public about the dangers of wild mushroom consumption. Proper identification is absolutely essential to avoid tragedies like this.
This is a sobering reminder of the importance of mushroom safety. While some wild varieties can be delicious, the risks of misidentification are simply too high. I hope the authorities can determine the source and spread of these toxic mushrooms to prevent further tragedies.
Yes, identifying mushrooms with absolute certainty is extremely difficult, even for experts. It’s best to err on the side of caution and avoid consuming any wild mushrooms unless you are 100% sure of the species.
Wow, three deaths and dozens of hospitalizations from toxic mushrooms is incredibly tragic. I’m glad the state is taking this seriously and issuing strong public health warnings. Hopefully this raises awareness about the dangers of wild mushroom foraging.
Absolutely. Even experienced mushroom hunters can make mistakes, with potentially fatal consequences. This underscores why it’s so critical for the public to heed official guidance and avoid unknown wild mushrooms.
While I understand the appeal of foraging for wild mushrooms, this incident clearly demonstrates the grave risks involved. Even experienced mushroom hunters can make mistakes with potentially fatal consequences. I hope this tragedy leads to greater public education on mushroom safety.
Wow, this is really alarming. Three deaths and dozens of hospitalizations from toxic mushrooms is absolutely devastating. I’m glad the authorities are taking this so seriously and warning people not to consume wild mushrooms. Proper identification is clearly critical for safe foraging.