California Mushroom Poisonings Rise to 21 as Officials Issue Statewide Advisory

Health officials are urging Northern Californians to steer clear of wild mushrooms after a sharp rise in poisonings — including one death — linked to the highly toxic death cap mushroom. Since mid-November, 21 people have suffered severe illness, and several required intensive care, according to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH).

CDPH issued an urgent statewide advisory Friday, warning that death caps are spreading across the region following recent rains, with “significant clusters” reported in the Monterey and San Francisco Bay areas. But the threat exists anywhere mushrooms grow near oak and hardwood trees, including much of Northern California.

The danger comes from how easily the death cap (Amanita phalloides) can be mistaken for edible varieties. Even more alarming: cooking, freezing, or drying does nothing to remove the mushroom’s deadly toxins, which can cause liver failure.

Symptoms — nausea, vomiting, watery diarrhea, stomach pain, and dehydration — typically appear 6 to 24 hours after ingestion. Many patients briefly feel better afterward, but health officials warn that this temporary improvement often precedes life-threatening liver damage 48 to 96 hours later. One adult has died, and at least one patient may require a liver transplant.

“Because the death cap can easily be mistaken for edible mushrooms, we advise the public not to forage for wild mushrooms at all during this high-risk season,” said Dr. Erica Pan, California’s public health officer.

With wet winter conditions fueling mushroom growth across the state, officials emphasize a simple safety rule: If you didn’t buy it from a store or an expert grower, don’t eat it.