Deadly Mushroom Outbreak Hits California as Authorities Warn Foragers

California is facing a dangerous spike in mushroom poisonings, with four people already dead after consuming death cap mushrooms.

Health officials say the state has seen more than 35 reported cases since mid-November, including three patients who required liver transplants.

The California Department of Public Health is warning residents to avoid foraging mushrooms entirely this year, as the death cap mushroom is easily mistaken for safe, edible varieties.

What Makes the Death Cap So Dangerous

The death cap, scientifically known as Amanita phalloides, is among the most poisonous mushrooms in the world.

Its toxins, called amatoxins, are responsible for 90% of fatal mushroom poisonings globally. Even cooking, boiling, drying, or freezing these mushrooms will not make them safe.

Doctors say many victims experience rapid liver damage and require intensive medical care. Patients have ranged from 19 months to 67 years old, highlighting the mushroom’s indiscriminate danger.

A “Super Bloom” This Year Has Experts Alarmed

Experts point to warm autumn temperatures and early rains as a cause of this year’s unusually high number of poisonings.

Dr. Craig Smollin, medical director for the San Francisco Division of the California Poison Control System, said the numbers are staggering:

“Having almost 40 cases is very unusual. Normally, we only see two to five deaths from death caps in a year.”

The mushrooms are thriving across northern California and the Central Coast, with clusters reported in Monterey and the San Francisco Bay areas.

Real-Life Danger: Families Affected

Laura Marcelino, a seasonal farmworker in Salinas, told the San Francisco Chronicle how her family accidentally ate death caps. They thought the mushrooms resembled ones she foraged in her home state of Oaxaca, Mexico.

“We thought it was safe,” she said.
Her husband became dizzy, but they ate the mushrooms again in a soup. The next day, both fell ill. Laura spent five days in hospital, while her husband needed a liver transplant.

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Even small amounts can be fatal, and symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramping may appear within 24 hours—but serious liver damage can develop two to three days later, even if initial symptoms subside.

Mushroom Experts Warn Residents to Stay Cautious

Julie Schreiber, a nationally recognized mushroom expert and educator, said this year has seen tons of mushrooms growing in yards and parks, drawing more people to forage than usual.

“I personally took a mushroom identification class 35 years ago, and even now, there’s still a lot I don’t know,” she said.

East Bay Regional Park District officials echo the warning:

“It really takes an expert to differentiate between poisonous and non-poisonous mushrooms. I wouldn’t trust myself to pick mushrooms right now.”

Communities Most Affected

The California Department of Public Health noted that Spanish, Mixteco, and Mandarin-speaking communities have been disproportionately affected.

Spanish was the primary language for over 60% of victims. Officials have since expanded warnings in multiple languages.

Dr. Smollin emphasized that the death cap can look very different at various growth stages, changing from a brownish-white cap to greenish tones, making identification even harder for non-experts.

Advice for Residents and Families

Health officials urge residents to:

Avoid foraging mushrooms entirely this year.
Buy mushrooms only from trusted stores or sellers.
Keep children and pets away from areas where mushrooms grow.
Seek immediate medical care if ingestion is suspected.

Treatment becomes much more difficult once symptoms appear, so early medical attention is critical.

How Death Caps Arrived in California

Death caps are not native to North America. They were accidentally introduced via European cork oak roots and are now spreading slowly along the West Coast.

While they primarily grow on oak trees, they can also be found on other hardwoods, further increasing the risk of accidental ingestion.

Rising Mushroom Exposures Nationwide

Poison centers in the U.S. have reported a 40% increase in mushroom-related exposures from September to January compared to the same period last year, not just from death caps.

Experts attribute this to more people foraging at home amid recent mushroom “super blooms.”