California Officials Warn Against Foraging Wild Mushrooms as Poisonings Reach Record High

Public health officials in California are urging residents not to pick or eat wild mushrooms after a surge in poisonings has reached a record high. Since November, 50 cases of mushroom-related illness have been reported, including four deaths and four individuals who required liver transplants.

This marks a significant increase from the state's last major outbreak in 2016, when 14 cases were reported with no fatalities.

The California Department of Public Health attributes the spike to accidental picking and consumption of poisonous wild mushrooms, particularly the death cap (Amanita phalloides) and the western destroying angel (Amanita ocreata). Death caps have been responsible for the majority of cases, though officials note that precise data on which mushrooms are involved in each case is unavailable.

An exceptionally wet winter followed by April rains are believed to have contributed to the proliferation of these toxic fungi.

Cases have been concentrated in Northern California and the Central Coast, including counties such as Alameda, Humboldt, Marin, Monterey, Napa, Sacramento, San Francisco, San Mateo, and Sonoma. In mid-May, three people were hospitalized in Napa County after consuming poisonous wild mushrooms foraged in the Deer Park community.

State health officials are strongly advising against foraging or eating wild mushrooms during this period of heightened risk. The death cap is considered the world's most poisonous mushroom, responsible for 90% of mushroom-related fatalities globally.

In California, the three deadliest mushrooms are the death cap, the western destroying angel, and the deadly galerina (Galerina marginata), according to the Bay Area Mycological Society.

During the 2016 outbreak, three people required liver transplants and one child suffered permanent neurologic impairment, as reported by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Officials emphasize that the current situation is unprecedented and urge the public to exercise extreme caution.