Public health experts in California are warning residents to avoid picking and eating wild mushrooms. That’s as the state experiences its worst outbreak of toxic mushroom poisonings in decades, and potentially ever.
Since Nov. 18, CDPH has reported 35 poisonings, three deaths and three liver transplants across nine counties. Typically, the state sees fewer than five cases a year.
Experts say early seasonal rains helped create ideal conditions for toxic mushroom growth.
“There's no part of the state that would be considered a death cap-free zone.”- Craig Smollin, San Francisco Division of California Poison Control medical director
“It's a really dangerous time to be doing mushroom hunting and foraging right now,” said Rita Nguyen, a doctor with the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) during a press conference on Wednesday.
Here’s what you need to know.
Where are the poisonings happening?
The part of California hit hardest is the San Francisco Bay Area. But experts warn the mushroom likely responsible for the cases — known as death caps — can grow all across the state.
“They've been found as far south as Los Angeles and maybe even points further south in the San Diego area and north into Oregon, Washington State, into Canada,” said Craig Smollin, medical director at the San Francisco Division of California Poison Control.
That means even though there are no reported cases in the North State yet, it could be only a matter of time.
“There's no part of the state that would be considered a death cap-free zone,” Smollin said.
What are death caps?
The death cap, or Amanita phalloides, is an innocuous-looking mushroom. They come in white, yellow and greenish-gray tones and can be easily confused with non-poisonous mushrooms, according to Dr. Nguyen.
“It can be very hard even for experts to identify the difference between edible mushrooms and not,” Nguyen said.
“There is no amount of Amanita phalloides [death caps] that would be considered safe. A single bite of the mushroom could cause significant toxicity.”- Craig Smollin, San Francisco Division of California Poison Control medical director
That’s why experts say the only way to truly be safe is to avoid eating wild mushrooms completely.
Death caps are extremely toxic — mortality rates after ingestion can reach as high as 50 percent.
“There is no amount of Amanita phalloides [death caps] that would be considered safe,” Dr. Smollin said. “A single bite of the mushroom could cause significant toxicity.”
They’re so poisonous they’ve even been used as a weapon. Last fall, an Australian woman made international headlines when she was sentenced to life in prison for poisoning her estranged relatives with death cap mushrooms.
Why are cases on the rise?
While it’s hard to say exactly why poisonings are on the rise, experts believe warm temperatures and early rains last fall helped fuel a death cap “super bloom” this winter.
“These mushrooms tend to fruit in the rainy season,” Dr. Smollin said. “Most of the time, we see these mushrooms when the rainy season starts, and through the rainy season — November, December, January.”
The last time California saw a concerning outbreak in wild mushroom poisoning was 2016, when there were 14 cases reported.
What to do if you think you’ve eaten a poisonous mushroom?
The state Poison Control System recommends calling 911 immediately.
You can also call the toll-free Poison Hotline at 1-800-222-1222 for professional guidance.
If you can, bring a sample of the mushroom you ate to the hospital with you so it can be tested.
Symptoms may not appear until 6 to 24 hours after eating a poisonous mushroom, according to CDPH. Common early signs include stomach pain, nausea, vomiting and fatigue. More serious symptoms include liver and kidney damage, hallucinations and euphoria, seizures and death.
Currently, there is no antidote for death cap mushroom poisoning, though scientists report they are close to finding one.
