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Mushroom Poisoning Outbreak in California Linked to Death Cap and Destroying Angel
1 day ago •source saccounty.gov
California, United States
Sacramento County Public Health has confirmed four cases of amatoxin mushroom poisoning amid a broader California outbreak linked to wild, foraged mushrooms. The outbreak has affected at least 35 hospitalized individuals statewide and has been associated with three adult deaths and multiple liver transplants across Northern California and the Central Coast.Affected individuals range from 19 months to 67 years old. The mushrooms were collected from various locations, including public lands, and have caused severe liver damage in both children and adults.
Health officials report that the Sacramento County cases involved people who accidentally consumed Death Cap (Amanita phalloides) or Western Destroying Angel (Amanita ocreata) mushrooms, which closely resemble edible varieties. Statewide, cases have been identified across Northern California and the Central Coast, including Alameda, Contra Costa, Monterey, Sacramento, San Francisco, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, and Sonoma counties.
The outbreak has been linked to mushrooms collected from a wide range of locations, including county, city, and park lands. Officials note that Death Cap mushrooms are common in California, particularly near oak trees, other hardwoods, and some pine species, and their presence has been amplified by recent rainfall.
The outbreak was identified through reports to the California Poison Control System between November 18, 2025, and January 6, 2026, which detected an unusual increase in amatoxin poisoning cases requiring hospitalization. Local health departments, including Sacramento County Public Health, are coordinating with the California Department of Public Health to track cases and monitor the ongoing situation.
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