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California Sees Record Mushroom Poisoning Cases in Largest U.S. Outbreak to Date

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A prolonged series of mushroom poisonings in California has tragically resulted in four fatalities and left 43 individuals hospitalized, marking the largest outbreak of its kind in the history of the U.S., according to experts.

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Three cases emerged earlier this week, notably after the typical growing season for the mushrooms notorious for causing this illness, prompting public health officials and mycologists to investigate the widespread poisonings and the factors contributing to this alarming trend.

These three new cases involved family members who foraged for mushrooms in Napa County on Saturday, fell ill on Sunday, and were subsequently admitted to Stanford Medical Center, as reported by Napa County Public Health Officer Dr. Kristin Wu.

Since the onset of the outbreak in November, affected individuals have ranged in age from just 19 months to 84 years old. California Department of Public Health indicates that incidents have clustered, with at least six families linked to the same batch of mushrooms. Four individuals have undergone liver transplants due to their ailments.

Poisoning incidents have spanned over a dozen counties within the San Francisco Bay Area and California’s central coast. Following a surge in cases during late fall, state health officials have cautioned the public against consuming foraged mushrooms.

“This outbreak is significantly larger than previous years, with its duration extending beyond what we anticipated,” stated Heather Hallen-Adams, chair of toxicology for the Mycological Society of North America. “The reasons for this are still unclear.”

Deathcap mushrooms, native to Europe, have made their way into the United States.Ann Pringle

The primary source of the poisonings has been identified as the invasive death cap mushroom, often referred to as fly agaric. Additionally, the Western destroying angel, known as amanita, has been implicated in several cases. Typically, 50 cases of amanita poisoning are reported annually across the nation, but California has already surpassed that number this year, with five new infections reported this month.

This situation is highly atypical,” noted Anne Pringle, a mycology professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. “Typically, the peak season for these mushrooms is in December and January. We are left wondering why this occurrence is happening.”

This outbreak has brought to light significant gaps in California’s public health infrastructure, revealing a lack of rigorous scientific understanding of these toxic mushrooms.

Healthcare providers currently are not mandated to report amatoxin poisoning cases to public health authorities, as outlined in state regulations. This has led the California Department of Public Health to track cases through a more cumbersome and less structured procedure than for other conditions like E. coli and West Nile virus.

“At present, our primary source of information about these incidents stems from the California Poison Control System,” Dr. Wu remarked. “They are actively working to identify and report these cases to CDPH.”

Dr. Wu indicated that efforts are underway to include amatoxin poisoning in the list of reportable diseases. However, the ministry has yet to respond to inquiries regarding this issue.

Dr. Wu revealed that the three family members who fell ill recently were not from Napa County and had been foraging mushrooms in rural areas within the county.

“Their case came to my attention solely due to their mushroom foraging activities in Napa County,” Dr. Wu stated, pointing out that there was no obligation for notification. “This information allows me to act to protect other community members in Napa.”

Since the outbreak’s onset, the majority of those affected by the toadstools predominantly communicate in Spanish, with others speaking Chinese, Ukrainian, Russian, Mam, and Mixteco (an indigenous language from Central America).

Consequently, public health experts suggest that some individuals may be relying on foraging practices rooted in traditions from their countries of origin.

“Research indicates that the death cap and Western angel of destruction closely resemble some native edible mushrooms found in their home countries,” Dr. Wu explained.

Dr. Wu mentioned that Napa County Public Health Department has initiated radio advertisements in English, Spanish, and Mixteco to alert the public about toxic mushrooms. The California Department of Health has also produced flyers available in nine languages.

“It’s surprising that we haven’t undertaken more outreach to Spanish-speaking communities; this poses a significant public health risk,” Dr. Wu remarked. “We are committed to improving our efforts in this area.”

The decomposing mushroom is an invasive species that was introduced to California through imported seedlings in the 1930s. The destroying angel mushrooms are specific to certain nations. In California, death caps typically thrive near oak and sometimes pine trees, usually growing several inches tall but can reach larger sizes, featuring white gills, a pale yellow or green cap, and a distinctive ring around their stem.

Amatoxins produced by these mushrooms can severely damage the kidneys, liver, and gastrointestinal tract. Symptoms of amatoxin poisoning may take up to 24 hours to manifest and include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. More severe reactions, including potentially fatal liver damage, can occur within two to three days. Amatoxins account for the majority of deadly mushroom poisonings, as even a volume comparable to a sugar cube can be lethal.

Mike McCurdy, president of the San Francisco Mycological Society, reported increased occurrences of death cap mushrooms over the weekend.

“This is a significant growth surge; it’s a widespread phenomenon, stretching from Monterey to Napa,” McCurdy lamented. “This level of activity during the spring is unprecedented.”

McCurdy recounted spending around 20 minutes searching for death cap mushrooms on Saturday, during which he identified more than 20 “fruiting bodies” around five live oak trees along the coast.

Pringle expressed her confusion over the unusual abundance of death cap mushrooms this year and their extended presence deep into the season, stating, “It’s both an intriguing and alarming situation.”

In comparison to plants and animals, mushrooms are less frequently studied and receive considerably less research funding, Pringle noted. There remains a lack of comprehensive understanding of the toxins they produce.

“Science requires funding to tackle these challenges,” she concluded. “If we can mitigate the factors contributing to these outbreaks, we can save lives.”

Source: www.nbcnews.com

California Resident Dies from Deadly Death Cap Mushroom Poisoning

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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.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

CDC Discreetly Scales Back Food Poisoning Surveillance Program

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The federal-state collaboration that oversees foodborne illness monitoring discreetly diminished its operations nearly two months ago.

As of July 1st, the Food Surveillance for Active Foodborne Diseases (FoodNet) program has slashed its surveillance efforts to just two pathogens: Salmonella and Shiga Toxin-Producing E. coli (STEC), according to a spokesperson from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as reported by NBC News.

Prior to this, the program was monitoring infections from six additional pathogens: Campylobacter, Cyclospora, Listeria, Shigella, Vibrio, and Yersinia. Some of these pathogens can trigger particularly severe or life-threatening diseases, especially in vulnerable populations such as newborns, pregnant individuals, or those with compromised immune systems.

While states involved in the program are no longer obligated to track the six pathogens, they are still allowed to conduct their own surveillance.

Food safety experts express concern that this underreported decision may hinder public health officials from recognizing trends in foodborne diseases.

FoodNet operates as a partnership between the CDC, the Food and Drug Administration, the Department of Agriculture, and ten state health departments, covering a surveillance area that includes about 54 million people, or 16% of the U.S. population.

A CDC representative commented, “FoodNet’s primary focus will remain on Salmonella and we will uphold both the infrastructure and the quality of our representation.”

A document shared with Connecticut’s Department of Public Health, as reported by NBC News, indicates that “funding does not align with the resources necessary to sustain comprehensive FoodNet surveillance for all eight pathogens.”

On Monday, a CDC spokesperson mentioned that other systems continue to perform national surveillance for the six pathogens removed from FoodNet. For instance, state health departments can still report cases through the National Notification Disease Surveillance System. Additionally, the CDC’s Listeria Initiative gathers laboratory-confirmed cases of listeriosis, a serious infection caused by consuming Listeria-contaminated food.

Nonetheless, food safety experts stress that FoodNet is the only active federal surveillance system monitoring multiple foodborne diseases. Other federal systems rely on passive reporting, meaning that the CDC depends on state health departments to notify them of cases.

Experts fear that without proactive monitoring of all eight pathogens, public health officials might struggle to accurately compare trends over time or to detect increases in specific diseases. There are also concerns that a reduction in FoodNet operations could hinder rapid responses to outbreaks.

Barbara Kowalcyk, director of the Institute for Food Safety and Nutrition Security at George Washington University, described the decision to cut FoodNet surveillance as “very disappointing.”

“The work that I and countless others have devoted over the past two to three decades to enhance food safety is now at risk,” she stated. Kowalcyk’s advocacy for improved U.S. food safety policy arose after the death of her son from complications linked to foodborne E. coli infections in 2001.

Kowalcyk emphasized that federal food safety funding has failed to keep pace with inflation, and cuts to state health department funding likely impede the ability to sustain FoodNet surveillance. The CDC has requested $72 million for the Food Safety Budget for the fiscal years 2026 and 2024.

It remains unclear how the changes to FoodNet will impact monitoring at the state level.

The health departments of Oregon and Connecticut acknowledged awareness of the recent changes on Monday, while the Georgia Department of Public Health noted it had not yet received official updates from the CDC. Meanwhile, the New Mexico Health Department is awaiting notification from the CDC to clarify the future scope of surveillance.

The Maryland Department of Health indicated that their reporting will continue “regardless of the changes to the FoodNet network,” as state health providers and clinical laboratories must report cases for all eight pathogens monitored by FoodNet.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment warned that if funding decreases in 2026, it may have to scale back active surveillance for some pathogens.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Century-Old Mercury Poisoning Abandons Polar Bears

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Mercury pollution resulting from early coal burning and gold mining continues to affect Arctic wildlife over a century later. New research published in Natural Communication reveals these enduring effects.

Despite worldwide efforts to limit emissions, mercury levels in apex predators like Arctic and toothed whales remain alarmingly high. Researchers attribute this persistence to legacy contamination that travels through ocean currents to the Arctic region.

A research team has analyzed more than 700 samples collected across Greenland over the last 40 years, ranging from animal tissues to ground peat. By evaluating the chemical “fingerprints” of mercury isotopes, they discovered that mercury concentrations have not declined and, in some cases, remain elevated in Arctic ecosystems.

“This provides insight into why we haven’t seen a decrease in Arctic mercury levels,” stated Professor Runeatz, a co-author of the study. “Mercury transport from significant sources like China to Greenland can take up to 150 years.”

Mercury released into the atmosphere through human activities can circulate the globe for approximately a year before settling. However, once it enters the ocean, it may persist for centuries, gradually moving northward through deep, cold currents.

For instance, Central West Greenland is influenced by Atlantic influx via the North Atlantic Arminger current, while other areas receive mercury-laden water from the Arctic current.

Beluga-like tooth whales today have mercury concentrations up to 30 times greater than before the Industrial Revolution – Getty

Currently, mercury concentrations in polar bears and toothed whales are 20-30 times higher than pre-industrial levels.

“We don’t have evidence of actual killings of top predators,” Dietz commented. According to an email from BBC Science Focus, “However, the loads in toothed whales and polar bears, along with Inuit populations in highly exposed areas, are significant enough to indicate neurological effects.”

As a potent neurotoxin, mercury can harm immune and reproductive health. Naturally occurring elements are extremely dangerous, as noted by the World Health Organization, which lists it as “one of the top 10 chemicals of major public health concern.”

The findings carry significant implications for the United Nations Mamata Treaty, a global initiative aimed at decreasing mercury pollution. While reduction of emissions is crucial, the study implies that the Arctic may require generations to see recovery.

The research team will continue to explore mercury’s impact on vulnerable Arctic ecosystems. Dietz emphasizes that modeling how long mercury takes to travel from major emitters like China to various Arctic regions could be essential for understanding long-term threats.

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About our experts

Rune Deets is a professor at the Faculty of Ecoscience at Aarhus University. His research has been published in peer-reviewed journals including Environmental Research, Molecular Ecology, and Ecology and Evolution.

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Rescued Vultures Saved from Poisoning and Electrocution

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Egyptian vultures have been in rapid decline since the 1980s

Blickwinkel / Alamy

A large-scale international effort has successfully addressed the vulture threat and protected endangered vultures along migration routes between Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Egyptian vulture (Neophron Percnopterus) can be shot, poisoned or electrocuted by livestock farmers as they travel through 14 countries each year.

The combination of these threats has reduced the number of breeding pairs in Eastern Europe from 600 in the 1980s to just 50 today.

Since 2012, conservationists working along bird migration routes have been gradually eliminating these threats. In the Balkans, the number of poisoning incidents was halved between 2018 and 2022 by working with farmers to reduce the use of poisonous livestock predator baits eaten by vultures.

The project will also insulate live parts near the perches of more than 10,000 utility poles in countries ranging from Bulgaria to Ethiopia, and the use of vulture body parts substitutes in traditional medicine in Niger and Nigeria. promoted.

In addition, 30 captive-bred vultures were released in Bulgaria, an important breeding area, between 2016 and 2022.

Over the past 10 years, conservation efforts have reduced adult mortality by 2% and juvenile mortality by 9%, and the population has increased by 0.5% annually, according to Steffen Oppel of the Swiss Institute of Ornithology and colleagues.

“Currently, the population is stable with a very small increase,” Oppel says.

The research also benefited other migratory birds that follow the same route as the vultures, including buzzards, eagles and storks.

Oppel and his colleagues sighted thousands of storks (ciconia) Arriving in southern Turkey, many were electrocuted when their wings touched live cables when they landed on utility poles. To avoid this, plastic or rubber covers were used to insulate power cables in areas where conservation teams found large numbers of dead birds.

People are also benefiting, he says. “We have had great success with companies in Bulgaria, for example, and now in Turkey, who have realized that it is in their interests that there will be far fewer interruptions in service if they insulate power lines. It is.”

Any intervention to save vultures is important and the Balkans project has a good chance of success. kelly walter of valpro, a conservation organization in South Africa. “This is an all-out war, and every in-situ and ex-situ conservation intervention and strategy is important to do everything within our means.” [to save the species],” she says.

Southern Africa once had its own breeding population of Egyptian vultures, but they are now extinct.

Flyway funded by the European Union project Egyptian vultures became extinct in the Balkans at the end of 2022, but Oppel says work needs to continue to prevent mortality rates from rising again.

“On the one hand, we want to say, ‘Yes, we have achieved something great because we have successfully avoided the demographic trend of declining immigration,’ but on the other hand, we want to make sure that politicians understand this. You have to let it happen. It’s not fixed forever.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com