Four Dead, Three Transplanted After Death Cap Mushroom Poisonings in California
California reports more than 36 death cap poisonings since Nov. 18, including four deaths and three liver transplants.
Overview
Four people died and three others required liver transplants after eating death cap mushrooms in California, with more than 36 poisoning cases reported since Nov. 18, according to the California Department of Public Health.
Health officials said warm fall temperatures and early rains have produced a "super bloom" of death cap mushrooms across Northern California and the Central Coast, creating clusters in the Monterey and San Francisco Bay areas.
The California Department of Public Health is urging people to avoid mushroom foraging this year and said it has expanded warnings in Spanish, Mixteco and Mandarin following the outbreaks.
Patients have ranged in age from 19 months to 67 years, and several required admission to intensive care units after rapidly evolving acute liver injury, officials confirmed.
Officials advised immediate medical evaluation for suspected ingestion, warned that early symptoms can subside before fatal liver damage within two to three days, and directed people to Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources present this as straightforward public-health reporting, largely neutral in tone: factual stats, expert warnings, and survivor testimony. They rely on public-health data, poison-control figures, and multilingual outreach details rather than evaluative rhetoric. Examples: quotes from California health officials, case counts, clinical description of amatoxin toxicity and prevention steps.
Sources (3)
FAQ
The death cap mushroom (Amanita phalloides) is a highly toxic fungus that proliferates in California, easily confused with safe edible varieties, causing amatoxin poisoning leading to rapid acute liver injury, failure, and death even if cooked.
Warm fall temperatures, early rains, and a rainy winter produced a 'super bloom' of death cap mushrooms across Northern California and the Central Coast, particularly in Monterey and San Francisco Bay areas.
Since November 18, 2025, over 36 cases of death cap poisonings have been reported, including four deaths and three liver transplants, with cases up to 39 by January 19, 2026.
Early symptoms may subside before fatal liver damage occurs within 2-3 days; seek immediate medical evaluation and contact Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.
Cases span Northern California and Central Coast counties like Monterey, San Francisco Bay Area, Sonoma to San Luis Obispo; affected ages 19 months to 67 years, including Spanish, Mixteco, and Mandarin speakers; mushrooms found near oaks in parks.
History
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