Tragic Incident in California: Death from Death Cap Mushrooms

A California man tragically died last weekend after consuming death cap mushrooms, marking the state’s third fatality linked to these toxic fungi since November. This alarming trend highlights the dangers posed by foraged mushrooms.

Between November 18th and January 4th, California reported an ASTONISHING 35 cases of mushroom poisoning. In a typical year, you would find fewer than five such cases, indicating a significant spike in poisonings.

According to Sheri Cardo, a communications specialist with the state health department, “The numbers we’re dealing with this year are relatively insane.” This spike has prompted serious concerns about mushroom foraging in California.

Following these incidents, a warning was issued by the health department on December 5, advising residents against consuming foraged mushrooms. The advisory specifically noted poisonings concentrated in areas like Monterey and the San Francisco Bay.

The latest fatalities occurred in Sonoma County. The county health department confirmed this as the first death attributed to wild mushrooms this season.

Sonoma County Interim Health Officer, Dr. Michael Stacy, urged residents to only purchase mushrooms from trusted grocery stores, stressing that death cap mushrooms bear a close resemblance to various edible species.

Stacy noted, “Early rains and a mild fall have led to an outbreak of poisonous death cap mushrooms in Northern California,” as he elaborated in a press release issued last Thursday.

The California Poison Control System highlighted that some individuals affected by death cap poisoning spoke Spanish and may have applied foraging practices from their home countries. Heather Hallen-Adams, director of toxicology for the Mycological Society of North America, explained that death cap mushrooms closely resemble other Amanita species that are safe and commonly collected in Mexico.

Death cap mushrooms contain a dangerous toxin known as amatoxin. If ingested, this toxin can severely damage vital organs, including the kidneys and liver. Symptoms of poisoning often take up to 24 hours to manifest, appearing as mild nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain. More severe consequences, such as liver failure, can occur within two to three days.

Hallen-Adams also stated that approximately 90% of fatal mushroom poisonings are linked to amatoxin poisoning, with even a small amount—equivalent to that of a standard sugar cube—being lethal.

Reports indicate that three individuals in California now require liver transplants due to severe wild mushroom poisoning.

The death cap mushroom, scientifically known as Amanita phalloides, is an invasive species that originated in Europe, making its way to California via imported seedlings in the 1930s. It typically thrives near oak trees and occasionally near pines, growing several inches tall, featuring white gills, a pale yellow or green cap, and a distinctive ring around its stem.

Typically, the U.S. Poison Center receives about 52 calls annually regarding amatoxin poisoning, although not all cases are reported to the center.

Mike McCurdy, president of the San Francisco Mycological Society, indicated that the risk for this season may be declining. As an avid mushroom collector, he shared that while he observed many death cap mushrooms during his outings earlier this winter, he has seen significantly fewer lately.

“I think we’re nearing the end,” McCurdy noted after spotting just one death cap mushroom on a recent trip near Lafayette, California.