California health officials are concerned and warning people about eating wild mushrooms. This comes after 21 people suffered poisonings and one person has died. The deaths poisonings were linked to wild mushrooms.
The amatoxin poisonings have caused severe liver damage to people.
On December 5, officials issued a warning about toxic mushroom poisoning. The bulk of poisons likely came from eating death cap mushrooms (Amanita phalloides). In a news release, officials begged people to be careful about eating wild mushrooms. They highlighted that one person has died, another needs a liver transplant, and more need intesnsive care.
"Death cap mushrooms contain potentially deadly toxins that can lead to liver failure," said Dr. Erica Pan, the director of CDPH and a state public health officer, in the release. "Because the death cap can easily be mistaken for edible safe mushrooms, we advise the public not to forage for wild mushrooms at all during this high-risk season."
Wild Mushrooms
According to the County of Monterey Health Department, there's been a rise in poisoning cases related to wild mushrooms. The organization highlighted that "cooking, boiling, drying or freezing" doesn't make them not poisonous. Officials also warned that toxic mushrooms can look edible.
"Some poisonous wild mushrooms look and smell like edible types of mushrooms," said Dr. Edward Moreno, a health officer for the County of Monterey, in a statement. "Only people with extensive training and experience should eat wild mushrooms that they have picked themselves."
Toxic mushrooms can cause diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dehydration, and nausea. It also cause fatal liver damage as well.
"Given the grave risk posed by consuming these toxic mushrooms, CDPH strongly advises the public to avoid foraging wild mushrooms," the agency continued, "and to only consume mushrooms purchased from reputable stores or known commercial sources."
So it's best to just be on the save side and buy your mushrooms.
