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California The Public Health Department has issued a stark alert after a fatal outbreak Due to mushroom poisoning, which took the life of one person and seriously damaged the liver of many people, including children.
The state poison control system has recorded 21 cases of amatoxin poisoning, largely linked to the notorious death cap mushroom. These highly toxic fungi are often mistaken for edible varieties due to their deceptive appearance and taste.
Erica Pan, director of the California Department of Public Health, said: “The death toll mushroom are potentially fatal toxic substances Which can lead to liver failure. Because the death toll could easily be mistaken for a safe edible mushroom, we advise the public not to seek wild mushrooms at all during this high-risk season.” In addition to the single death, several patients required intensive care, with at least one potentially requiring a liver transplant.
Recent wet weather has contributed to the growth of death cap mushrooms, prompting officials to be vigilant about looking for any wild mushrooms. Such incidents have been reported in Monterey County in central California, where several cases have been reported after residents fell ill after eating mushrooms from a local park. san francisco bay areaHowever, state health officials insist the threat is widespread,
At the national level, AmericaPoison centers recorded more than 4,500 cases of exposure to unidentified mushrooms in 2023, about half of which involved young children who may have eaten them while playing outside. California’s poison control system alone handles hundreds of such cases annually.
Experts warn that it is challenging to distinguish between deadly varieties such as the Death Cap and “Destroying Angel” and their edible counterparts, as they often look and taste alike. The color of a mushroom is not a reliable indicator of its toxicity, and cooking does not neutralize the poison.
Initial symptoms, including stomach cramps, nausea, diarrhea or vomiting, may appear within 24 hours of consumption. Importantly, health officials warn that even if these gastrointestinal symptoms improve, patients remain at risk for developing serious, delayed complications such as liver damage.
People For guidance on diagnosing or treating mushroom poisoning you can contact the poison control hotline at 1-800-222-1222.