Danger from Wild Mushrooms: What Learners Should Know

Between November 18 and January 5, thirty-five cases of toxic mushroom poisoning were reported in California and three people died. Several counties in the San Francisco Bay Area and central coast were affected, and some patients required intensive care. Early rains and mild fall weather have produced a large growth of death cap mushrooms (Amanita phalloides), which closely resemble edible varieties. Three patients have needed liver transplants after severe liver injury.

Symptoms usually appear six to twenty-four hours after eating and include watery diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Although these symptoms can seem to improve, severe liver damage often develops within forty-eight to ninety-six hours. Therefore anyone who ate wild mushrooms and has gastrointestinal symptoms should seek medical care promptly. Poison control can be reached at 1-800-222-1222 for guidance. Public health advice has been to avoid foraging for wild mushrooms and to consume only commercially purchased mushrooms from trusted retailers while the risk is high.