Wild mushrooms keep killing people in California; 3 dead, 35 poisoned

Health officials in California are sounding the alarm as a third individual has succumbed to poisoning from wild mushrooms. Since November, a staggering 35 people across the state have reported mushroom-related poisoning, leading to three deaths and three liver transplants. The latest fatality was confirmed by Sonoma County health officials last week. Michael Stacey, the interim health officer for the county, explained that these incidents are linked to an alarming increase in the number of death cap mushrooms (Amanita phalloides). He noted that in an average year, California typically sees fewer than five cases of mushroom poisoning. Stacey attributed this surge to favorable weather conditions, including early rains and a mild fall, which have contributed to the proliferation of these dangerous mushrooms in Northern California. He cautioned that consuming wild mushrooms without expert identification poses serious risks, as some toxic varieties can closely resemble safe, edible ones, even to seasoned foragers. In an interview with Ars Technica, Craig Smollin, medical director of the California Poison Control System's San Francisco division, highlighted that death cap mushrooms are particularly prevalent from November to March, although the current outbreak is unprecedented. These mushrooms contain amatoxins, potent toxins that inhibit mRNA transcription, leading to the cessation of protein synthesis and cell death, especially affecting the liver. After being ingested, amatoxins are swiftly absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract and transported to the liver, where they can inflict severe damage.