California urges people to avoid wild mushrooms after 4 deaths, 3 liver transplants

February 7, 2026 - 20:22

State health authorities are urging extreme caution after a sharp rise in severe and fatal poisonings from wild mushrooms. Since November, more than three dozen cases have been reported, with tragic consequences including four deaths and at least three individuals requiring emergency liver transplants.

The primary culprit identified is the "death cap" mushroom, a notoriously toxic species that resembles some edible varieties. These mushrooms contain potent toxins that can cause severe liver and kidney damage. Symptoms, which can be delayed for many hours after ingestion, include abdominal pain, vomiting, and dehydration, often leading victims to mistakenly believe they have a common stomach illness.

Officials emphasize that there are no simple, reliable rules for distinguishing poisonous mushrooms from safe ones. The public is strongly advised to avoid foraging for and consuming any wild mushrooms unless they have been definitively identified by an expert. The warning extends to all, including pets, as the mushrooms pose a significant risk to animals as well.