Contra Costa County Health said this week that a Contra Costa resident has died after eating wild mushrooms.
They remind the public that although some toxic mushrooms closely resemble edible ones. Do not eat wild mushrooms unless you are absolutely certain of their identification and have expert experience. If you may have eaten a poisonous mushroom, seek medical care immediately or call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. They did not provide any additional information about the case or location.
Contra Costa Health confirmó que un residente del condado murió después de consumir hongos silvestres. Algunos hongos tóxicos pueden parecer comestibles. No coma hongos silvestres a menos que esté absolutamente seguro de su identificación y tenga experiencia experta. Si cree que ha comido un hongo venenoso, busque atención médica de inmediato o llame al Centro de Control de Envenenamientos al 1-800-222-1222.
According to the California Department of Health,they issued an update to its December 5 health advisory as an outbreak of amatoxin poisoning continues across California. This outbreak is linked to the consumption of wild, foraged mushrooms and has caused severe liver damage in both children and adults, resulting in three adult deaths and three liver transplants to date. CDPH urges Californians not to pick or eat wild mushrooms.
Between November 18 and January 6, the California Poison Control System (CPCS) has identified 35 hospitalized cases across Northern California and the Central Coast, spanning regions from Sonoma to San Luis Obispo. Affected individuals range in age from 19 months to 67 years and include family groups and individual cases. Medical treatment for amatoxin poisoning has been provided in the following counties: Alameda, Contra Costa, Monterey, San Francisco, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz and Sonoma. Most cases are in the Monterey and San Francisco Bay Area, though Death Cap mushrooms can be found across the state, particularly adjacent to oaks, other hardwoods and some pines.
According to the East Bay Regional Park District, the death cap (Amanita phalloides) and western destroying angel (Amanita ocreata) are two of the world’s most toxic mushrooms, and both can be found in Regional Parks during the rainy season.
The death cap and western destroying angel mushrooms contain amatoxins, molecules that are deadly to many animals. Symptoms may not appear until up to 12 hours after consumption, beginning as severe gastrointestinal distress and progressing to liver and kidney failure if treatment is not sought immediately.
Both of these mushrooms can be lethal to humans and pets if consumed. Pet owners should contact a veterinarian immediately if they suspect their pet may have eaten a toxic mushroom. They are mainly associated with oak trees and can be found growing anywhere oak roots are present. Collecting any mushrooms in East Bay Regional Parks is not allowed.
Related
- Jan 14, 2026 – Death Cap Mushrooms Linked to Three Deaths, Three Liver Transplants and 35 Hospitalizations
- Jan 8, 2026 – Sonoma County Health Officer Issues Advisory to Not Eat Wild mushrooms After Death of County Resident
- Dec 9, 2025 – Annual Wild Mushroom Advisory in East Bay Regional Parks
- Dec 6, 2025 – Outbreak of Potentially Deadly Amatoxin Poisoning Linked to the Consumption of Wild, Foraged Mushrooms