As poisonings soar to record, health officials urge Californians not to pick or eat wild mushrooms

California Department of Public Health reports 50 identified wild-mushroom poisoning cases since November, far exceeding the 2016 outbreak with 14 cases. Death cap (Amanita phalloides) and western destroying angel (Amanita ocreata) are linked to an unprecedented rise in poisonings and deaths, with death caps responsible for most cases though exact counts by species are unavailable. An exceptionally wet winter followed by April rains is cited as a contributing factor. Of the 50 cases, four people died and four required liver transplants. Cases have clustered in Northern California and the Central Coast, including Alameda, Humboldt, Marin, Monterey, Napa, Sacramento, San Francisco, San Mateo, and Sonoma counties, where these mushrooms were historically uncommon. Napa County reported three hospitalizations in mid-May after people ate poisonous wild mushrooms foraged in the Deer Park community. Officials urge Californians not to pick or eat wild mushrooms during heightened risk.

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