California wild mushroom poisoning leaves 1 dead, 20 injured

Warning against mushroom foraging in California after fatal poisoning

5 hours ago Share Save Grace Eliza Goodwin Share Save

Officials in California are urging people not to forage for wild mushrooms after a rise in poisoning cases caused at least one death. The California Poison Control System has identified 21 cases of amatoxin poisoning clustered in northern California, likely resulting from death cap mushrooms, the state's department of public health said. The poisoning resulted in severe liver damage in several people, including children, and at least one of the patients may need a liver transplant, the department said. Death cap mushrooms can easily be mistaken for safe, edible mushrooms because of their similar taste, smell, and appearance.