"California officials are warning foragers after an outbreak of poisoning linked to wild mushrooms that has killed one adult and caused severe liver damage in several patients, including children. The state poison control system has identified 21 cases of amatoxin poisoning, likely caused by death cap mushrooms, the health department said Friday. The toxic wild mushrooms are often mistaken for edible ones because of their appearance and taste."
"Wet weather fuels the growth of death cap mushrooms, and officials warn against any wild mushroom foraging to avoid confusion. Residents in central California's Monterey County became ill after eating mushrooms found in a local park, according to county health officials. Another cluster of cases were in the San Francisco Bay Area, but state health officials warned that the risk is everywhere."
An outbreak of amatoxin poisoning in California has killed one adult and caused severe liver damage in several patients, including children. Twenty-one cases have been identified, likely from death cap mushrooms that closely resemble edible varieties. Death cap toxins can cause liver failure, and ingestion can lead to intensive care or the need for liver transplantation. Wet weather promotes growth of these mushrooms, increasing risk across regions. Hundreds of wild mushroom exposures are reported annually in California, and over 4,500 unidentified mushroom exposures were logged nationally in 2023. Mushroom color and taste are unreliable indicators of safety; both raw and cooked mushrooms can be toxic.
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