Toxic Wild Mushroom Poisonings Reach Record Levels Across California, Officials Warn

Poisonings linked to toxic wild mushrooms have been increasing at an alarming rate across California, health officials said.

Poisonings due to Death Cap mushroom, scientifically known as Amanita phalloides, and Western Destroying Angel, or Amanita ocreata, continue to increase in the state, including in regions where these mushrooms usually don’t grow, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) said in a social media post.

This year, Death Caps have persisted beyond their usual growing season, the agency said.

A total of 50 cases have been reported across the state from November 18, 2025, to May 19, 2026, including four deaths, according to the CDPH.

Three more cases were confirmed over the last few weeks.

Earlier this month, the California Poison Control System (CPCS) said the cases were mostly concentrated in the Northern Valley and were moving into the Central Valley.

Of the 50 reported cases, at least four people required liver transplants, according to health officials.

These poisonous mushrooms can resemble and taste like edible mushrooms, the CDPH warned. However, consuming even a small amount of toxic mushrooms can have potentially devastating consequences, including hospitalization, liver failure, and even death, officials warned.

Symptoms of poisoning can range from nausea, stomach pain, diarrhea, and vomiting to serious complications, such as liver and kidney damage, seizures, and hallucinations.

The warning comes as foragers face heightened dangers during what the health department described as an unprecedented outbreak of severe poisonings tied to toxic wild mushrooms in the state.

According to the CDPH, hospitalizations were reported in the following counties:

• Alameda
• Contra Costa
• Humboldt
• Monterey
• San Francisco
• San Luis Obispo
• San Mateo
• Sacramento
• Santa Clara
• Santa Cruz
• Sonoma
• Yuba

Languages spoken among the reported cases included Spanish, Mam (an indigenous Mayan language), Mixteco (an indigenous language in Mexico), Chinese (Mandarin), Ukrainian, Russian, and English.

Among people who reported a preferred language, the majority identified Spanish as their preferred language.

Poisonous wild mushrooms are usually grown in parts of California, typically after periods of rain. They usually grow in neighborhoods and parks, in addition to wilderness areas.

It is common for people who are new to California to mistake toxic wild mushrooms for safe, edible mushrooms that they usually forage or cultivate in their home country, health officials said.

In fact, even experienced foragers can often mistake the toxic mushrooms for safe species, the CDPH said.

Tips to Stay Safe

• Do not eat wild mushrooms.
• Only buy mushrooms from reliable grocery stores and retailers.
• Cooking, boiling, freezing, or drying poisonous mushrooms does not make them safe to consume.
• Keep an eye on children when they play outdoors, especially in areas where wild mushrooms grow.
• Ensure pets are away from wild mushrooms, as animals can get poisoned as well.