California health officials issue urgent warning to mushroom hunters after deadly poisoning outbreak

California health authorities have issued a serious warning to residents about collecting wild mushrooms following a lethal poisoning incident in the central region of the state. The California Poison Control System has confirmed at least 21 cases of amatoxin poisoning, which resulted in one adult fatality and several individuals, including children, suffering severe liver damage, with some potentially requiring liver transplants.

The outbreak is believed to be linked to the Death Cap mushroom, notorious for being easily mistaken for edible varieties. Officials also cautioned about the dangers of the destroying angel mushroom, another highly toxic species found in California.

Residents in Monterey County fell ill after consuming mushrooms collected from local parks, and a separate cluster of cases occurred in the San Francisco area. Symptoms can vary depending on the quantity ingested and may include stomach cramps, diarrhea, nausea, organ failure, and liver injury. The poison control center emphasized that even if initial gastrointestinal symptoms subside, serious complications like liver damage may still develop.

"Death cap mushrooms carry toxins that can be fatal, potentially causing liver failure," said Erica Pan, director of the California Department of Public Health. "Because they resemble edible mushrooms, we strongly advise against foraging wild mushrooms during this high-risk season."

Mushrooms flourish during California's rainy season from October through March, but authorities warn that consuming the wrong wild mushrooms can lead to severe illness or death. Hundreds of mushroom poisonings are reported to the poison control center each year, many resulting in serious health consequences.

Data from the National Poison Data System indicated that in 2023, around half of the approximately 4,500 mushroom poisoning cases in the U.S. involved children, who are more likely to accidentally ingest toxic mushrooms while playing outdoors.

Author: Logan Reeves