Overview
- Contra Costa Health confirmed a county resident in his 60s died after eating wild mushrooms he foraged in a regional park.
- State data show at least 39 poisonings and four deaths since Nov. 18, with hospitalizations reported in Alameda, Contra Costa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Sonoma, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Sacramento and Santa Cruz counties.
- Officials call the surge unprecedented and say the primary culprit is the Death Cap (Amanita phalloides), while warning that the Western Destroying Angel (Amanita ocreata) is also dangerous.
- Symptoms often start with nausea, vomiting and diarrhea within 6–24 hours, can progress to severe liver injury, and at least three patients required liver transplants, according to one outlet.
- Authorities urge residents to avoid foraging, purchase mushrooms only from trusted retailers, and seek immediate care or call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 after suspected ingestion; toxins are not neutralized by cooking or freezing.