SAN DIEGO — Four people have died and three others have required liver transplants after eating the death cap mushroom in California, following a rainy winter. The California Department of Public Health is urging residents to avoid mushroom foraging this year, as death cap mushrooms are easily mistaken for safe, edible varieties.
A Growing Public Health Concern
Since November 18, more than three dozen cases of death cap poisoning have been reported, resulting in four deaths and three liver transplants. Affected individuals range in age from 19 months to 67 years old. Many who became ill experienced rapidly evolving acute liver injury and liver failure, requiring intensive care.
The death cap mushroom is considered one of the most poisonous in the world. Experts say that warm fall temperatures and early rains have led to a “super bloom” of these mushrooms across California, particularly under oak trees in city parks, and forests.
Even a small amount of the death cap mushroom can be fatal. Experts caution that a mushroom’s color is not a reliable indicator of toxicity, and cooking or drying the mushroom does not eliminate the danger.
Disproportionate Impact on Communities
The public health department has noted that many of those poisoned identify as Spanish, Mixteco, and Mandarin Chinese speakers. In response, the state has expanded its warnings to include these languages, as Spanish was the primary language for over 60% of those affected.
One case involved a family in Salinas, California, who gathered mushrooms resembling those they foraged in Oaxaca, Mexico. After consuming the mushrooms, the husband required a liver transplant, and his wife spent five days in the hospital. Their children did not eat the mushrooms.
Symptoms of death cap poisoning can include stomach cramping, nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting within 24 hours of ingestion. Whereas initial symptoms may subside, serious and potentially fatal liver damage can develop within 2 to 3 days. U.S. Poison Centers have reported a 40% increase in all mushroom exposure cases from September through January compared to the previous year.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if I think I’ve eaten a poisonous mushroom?
Doctors advise seeking medical care immediately if you become aware that you have eaten a poisonous mushroom or suspect you have.
Where have these mushrooms been found?
Death cap mushrooms have been collected in local and national parks across Northern California and the Central Coast, with clusters identified in the Monterey and San Francisco Bay areas.
How can I protect my children and pets?
Officials advise keeping an eye on children and pets outside where mushrooms grow, and buying mushrooms from trusted grocery stores and sellers.
Given the potential severity of death cap mushroom poisoning, what steps can individuals accept to ensure their safety when encountering wild mushrooms?
