Three poisoned by mushrooms foraged in California wine country amid 'unprecedented' outbreak

"Three adults were hospitalized after eating poisonous wild mushrooms foraged in the Napa Valley community of Deer Park over the weekend, health officials in Napa County announced. The adults ate the mushrooms in California wine country, and they were not Napa County residents. It remains unclear what variety of mushrooms they consumed. Poisonous mushrooms can be found anywhere, the public health department said in a news release."

"California has seen an uptick in mushroom poisonings, with four people dying and 47 becoming seriously ill since November, according to the release. In a typical year, the state may see up to five cases of mushroom-related poisonings, authorities have said. An exceptionally wet December helped usher in what’s believed to be the state’s largest and deadliest outbreak of mushroom poisonings on record, with cases concentrated in Northern and Central California."

"Some areas also saw an unusually wet April, which may have helped foster another crop, health officials said. “Recent rains have contributed to the resurgence of poisonous wild mushrooms in California, including in Napa,” said a statement from Dr. Christine Wu, Napa County’s public health officer. “Poisonous mushrooms can look and taste similar to safe mushrooms, and even experienced mushroom hunters have been affected by this outbreak.”"

"All four of the mushroom-poisoning deaths and most of the illnesses took place between Nov. 18 and Jan. 18, according to the California Department of Public Health. After the state recorded just one case in February and another in March, there was another uptick, with three cases record"

Three adults were hospitalized after eating poisonous wild mushrooms foraged in the Napa Valley community of Deer Park over the weekend. The adults were not Napa County residents, and the mushroom variety was not identified. Health officials reported an unprecedented statewide outbreak linked to mushroom foraging, with four deaths and 47 serious illnesses since November. A wet December and unusually wet April likely increased mushroom growth, leading to the largest and deadliest outbreak on record. Cases were concentrated in Northern and Central California. Poisonous mushrooms can resemble and taste like safe mushrooms, and even experienced mushroom hunters have been affected. Most deaths and illnesses occurred between Nov. 18 and Jan. 18, with fewer cases in February and March before another increase later.

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