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Ishita Roy

California Mushroom Poisoning: 4 Dead, 3 Receive Liver Transplant

<strong><span rel="noindex">California mushrooms</span> poisoning </strong>has led to four deaths and three people who required liver transplant. This happened after people consumed the death cap mushroom that is proliferating in <span>California</span> following a rainy winter. 

The California Department of Public Health has urged people to avoid mushroom foraging altogether as <span>death cap mushrooms</span> could easily be confused with the safe and edible ones. 

<h2><span rel="noindex">California Mushroom Poisoning</span>: How Many Cases So Far?</h2>

Since November 18, 2025, there have been more than three dozens cases of death cap poisoning. This included three people getting liver transplants, confirmed the health department. Among the cases, four were also reported to be dead. Some of whom sought medical attention suffered from rapidly evolving acute liver injury and liver failure. Other patients were required to be admitted in intensive care units. The patients age ranged from 19 months to 67 years old. 

<h2>California Mushroom Poisoning: What Is The Death Cap Mushroom?</h2>

The death cap mushroom is the most poisonous mushrooms in the world. It is part of a small group of mushrooms that contain amatoxins, which are highly potent compounds and cause 90% of fatal mushroom poisoning globally. They could be found in city parks, forests, and often under oak trees. 

Dr Craig Smollin, medical director for the San Francisco Division of the California Poison Control System tells <em>PBS News</em> that in a year, there are between two to five death cap poisonings. 

"The main thing this year is just the magnitude, the number of people ingesting this mushroom," Smollin said. "Having almost 40 is very unusual."

With warm temperature along with early rains, a 'super bloom' of death caps in California could be seen. 

Experts point out that eating even a small amount could be fatal. The confusing part is that the color is usually not a reliable way to detect toxicity. Furthermore, whether the mushroom is consumed raw, dried or cooked, does not make a difference. 

<h2>California Mushroom Poisoning: A Case Study</h2>

Speaking to <em>San Francisco Chronicle</em>, Laura Marcelino, 36, said that her family in the Northern California town of Salinas gathered mushrooms that looks like the ones she and her husband used to forage in their native Oaxaca. "We thought it was safe". 

However, the next day, her husband felt dizzy, but Marcelino was fine. They ate the mushrooms again, heating them up in a soup with tortillas. Her kids do not like mushrooms, so they were safe, as they did not have any. The next day, she and her husband became ill with vomiting, and stayed home form work. 

Marcelino spent five days in a hospital, while her husband underwent a liver transplant. 

In an email response to <em>The Associated Press</em>, the US Poison Centers said that the cases of mushroom exposure have increased, and not just the death cap. This increase was noted from September through January by 40% from the same period in the previous year. Exposure do not always result in illness or poisoning. 

<h2>California Mushroom Poisoning: Common Symptoms</h2>

<ul><li>Cramping</li><li>Nausea</li><li>Diarrhea</li><li>Vomiting</li></ul>

Experts point out that early symptoms could go away within a day, but serious to fatal liver damage can still develop within 2 to 3 days

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California mushrooms poisoning has led to four deaths and three people who required liver transplant. This happened after people consumed the death cap mushroom that is proliferating in California following a rainy winter. The California Department of Public Health has urged people to avoid mushroom foraging altogether as death cap mushrooms could easily be confused with the safe and edible ones. California Mushroom Poisoning: How Many Cases So Far?Since November 18, 2025, there have been more than three dozens cases of death cap poisoning. This included three people getting liver transplants, confirmed the health department. Among the cases, four were also reported to be dead. Some of whom sought medical attention suffered from rapidly evolving acute liver injury and liver failure. Other patients were required to be admitted in intensive care units. The patients age ranged from 19 months to 67 years old. California Mushroom Poisoning: What Is The Death Cap Mushroom?The death cap mushroom is the most poisonous mushrooms in the world. It is part of a small group of mushrooms that contain amatoxins, which are highly potent compounds and cause 90% of fatal mushroom poisoning globally. They could be found in city parks, forests, and often under oak trees. Dr Craig Smollin, medical director for the San Francisco Division of the California Poison Control System tells PBS News that in a year, there are between two to five death cap poisonings. "The main thing this year is just the magnitude, the number of people ingesting this mushroom," Smollin said. "Having almost 40 is very unusual."With warm temperature along with early rains, a 'super bloom' of death caps in California could be seen. Experts point out that eating even a small amount could be fatal. The confusing part is that the color is usually not a reliable way to detect toxicity. Furthermore, whether the mushroom is consumed raw, dried or cooked, does not make a difference. California Mushroom Poisoning: A Case StudySpeaking to San Francisco Chronicle, Laura Marcelino, 36, said that her family in the Northern California town of Salinas gathered mushrooms that looks like the ones she and her husband used to forage in their native Oaxaca. "We thought it was safe". However, the next day, her husband felt dizzy, but Marcelino was fine. They ate the mushrooms again, heating them up in a soup with tortillas. Her kids do not like mushrooms, so they were safe, as they did not have any. The next day, she and her husband became ill with vomiting, and stayed home form work. Marcelino spent five days in a hospital, while her husband underwent a liver transplant. In an email response to The Associated Press, the US Poison Centers said that the cases of mushroom exposure have increased, and not just the death cap. This increase was noted from September through January by 40% from the same period in the previous year. Exposure do not always result in illness or poisoning. California Mushroom Poisoning: Common SymptomsCrampingNauseaDiarrheaVomitingExperts point out that early symptoms could go away within a day, but serious to fatal liver damage can still develop within 2 to 3 days

california mushroom poisoning: 4 dead, 3 receive liver transplant

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