Health and Me

Ishita Roy

One Dead, 21 Poisoned: California Sounds Alarm Over Toxic Death Cap Mushrooms; Here's How To Identify Them

Officials in California have now urged people to not forage for wild mushrooms after a rise in poisoning cases that caused at least one death. The California Poison Control System was able to identify at least 21 cases of poisoning in northern California. This has resulted from death cap mushrooms, confirmed the state's public health department. 

<h2>How Bad Is The Mushroom Poisoning?</h2>

The poisoning has resulted in severe liver damage in people and have not spared even children. It has killed at least one of the patients who may have needed a liver transplant, confirmed the health department. 

The problem is that death cap mushrooms could be easily mistaken for safe, edible mushrooms because of its similar taste, smell, and appearance. 

Health officials have confirmed that the recent cases occurred between mid November and early December, a period marked by heavy rainfall in the region. The wet weather creates perfect conditions for the toxic <span>death cap mushroom</span> to thrive, especially around oaks and other hardwoods, including pine trees, according to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH).

While most cases have been concentrated in Monterey and the San Francisco Bay Area, the CDPH cautioned that the danger extends across California.

“Death cap mushrooms contain toxins that can cause life threatening liver failure,” said Dr Erica Pan, CDPH Director and State Public Health Officer. “Because these mushrooms can be easily confused with edible varieties, we strongly urge the public to avoid foraging for wild mushrooms during this high risk season.”

The agency stressed that death caps are unsafe under any circumstances. Cooking, freezing, boiling or drying them does not remove their toxicity.

Consuming the mushroom can trigger symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, watery diarrhoea, abdominal pain and dehydration within six to 24 hours. Although the discomfort may briefly subside, serious or even fatal liver damage can develop up to eight days later.

“Only individuals with significant expertise in identifying wild mushrooms should eat those they have harvested themselves,” Dr Edward Moreno, Health Officer for Monterey County, said.

<h2>Ways To Identify Death cap Mushroom</h2>

Inspect the cap: look for a green or yellow tint on top of the mushroom's white cap. The caps of mature mushrooms also have 1 to 2 large cracks running across them. Death caps often have 1 or more patches of thin, white, vein-like tissue. 

<strong>A flat cap with diameter 3 to 6 inches:</strong> mature death caps are widely and nearly flat on top. However, young death caps have an almost spherical, bowl-shaped cap. 

<strong>Gills underneath cap: </strong>the death mushroom cap has thin white gills on the underside of the cap.

<strong>Smell:</strong> hold the mushroom about 3 inches away from nose and take a sniff. A death cap mushroom shall smell slightly like ammonia or other chemical household cleaners. 

Touch: Tap the death cap mushroom lightly so you do not break it off. The caps of death cap mushroom are often sticky and could leave a small amount of adhesive residue. 

<strong>Look for white spores left behind: </strong>place the mushroom cap on a piece of dark colored paper with gills facing downward. Let the mushroom sit in this position and next morning lift up the mushroom cap and look for white spore print on the sheet. A death cap mushroom will leave a white spore print.

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Officials in California have now urged people to not forage for wild mushrooms after a rise in poisoning cases that caused at least one death. The California Poison Control System was able to identify at least 21 cases of poisoning in northern California. This has resulted from death cap mushrooms, confirmed the state's public health department. How Bad Is The Mushroom Poisoning?The poisoning has resulted in severe liver damage in people and have not spared even children. It has killed at least one of the patients who may have needed a liver transplant, confirmed the health department. The problem is that death cap mushrooms could be easily mistaken for safe, edible mushrooms because of its similar taste, smell, and appearance. What Do Health Officials Say?Health officials have confirmed that the recent cases occurred between mid November and early December, a period marked by heavy rainfall in the region. The wet weather creates perfect conditions for the toxic death cap mushroom to thrive, especially around oaks and other hardwoods, including pine trees, according to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH).While most cases have been concentrated in Monterey and the San Francisco Bay Area, the CDPH cautioned that the danger extends across California.“Death cap mushrooms contain toxins that can cause life threatening liver failure,” said Dr Erica Pan, CDPH Director and State Public Health Officer. “Because these mushrooms can be easily confused with edible varieties, we strongly urge the public to avoid foraging for wild mushrooms during this high risk season.”The agency stressed that death caps are unsafe under any circumstances. Cooking, freezing, boiling or drying them does not remove their toxicity.Consuming the mushroom can trigger symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, watery diarrhoea, abdominal pain and dehydration within six to 24 hours. Although the discomfort may briefly subside, serious or even fatal liver damage can develop up to eight days later.“Only individuals with significant expertise in identifying wild mushrooms should eat those they have harvested themselves,” Dr Edward Moreno, Health Officer for Monterey County, said.Ways To Identify Death cap MushroomInspect the cap: look for a green or yellow tint on top of the mushroom's white cap. The caps of mature mushrooms also have 1 to 2 large cracks running across them. Death caps often have 1 or more patches of thin, white, vein-like tissue. A flat cap with diameter 3 to 6 inches: mature death caps are widely and nearly flat on top. However, young death caps have an almost spherical, bowl-shaped cap. Gills underneath cap: the death mushroom cap has thin white gills on the underside of the cap.Smell: hold the mushroom about 3 inches away from nose and take a sniff. A death cap mushroom shall smell slightly like ammonia or other chemical household cleaners. Touch: Tap the death cap mushroom lightly so you do not break it off. The caps of death cap mushroom are often sticky and could leave a small amount of adhesive residue. Look for white spores left behind: place the mushroom cap on a piece of dark colored paper with gills facing downward. Let the mushroom sit in this position and next morning lift up the mushroom cap and look for white spore print on the sheet. A death cap mushroom will leave a white spore print.