What You Need to Know: California is experiencing a resurgence of poisoning cases linked to accidental picking and consumption of poisonous wild mushrooms, including Death Caps and Western Destroying Angels, which are growing in many regions across the state. The California Department of Public Health is strongly urging Californians not to pick or eat wild mushrooms, as the risk of potentially deadly amatoxin poisoning remains extremely high.
SACRAMENTO – California continues to see an unprecedented increase in poisonings and deaths linked to the accidental picking and consumption of poisonous wild mushrooms, particularly Death Caps. As of May 22, 50 cases of mushroom-related poisonings have been reported since November 2025, including severe illnesses and four deaths. The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) strongly urges Californians not to pick or eat wild mushrooms during this time of heightened risk.
This outbreak, now in its seventh month, continues to cause severe liver damage in both children and adults and has led to four deaths and four liver transplants among the 50 identified cases. Since mid-April alone, the California Poison Control System has received reports of 12 additional poisoning cases, far surpassing the state’s previous major outbreak in 2016, which involved 14 total cases. In a typical year, there are less than five reported cases of mushroom-poisoning.
Cases have been reported across Northern California and the Central Coast since the outbreak began, including counties where these mushrooms have historically been uncommon (see map below). Information from affected individuals indicates that poisonous mushrooms were collected from various public lands, including county, city, and national parks.
Note: The location of where poisonous mushrooms were foraged is only available for 35 cases out of a total of 50 cases.
The outbreak has coincided with a persistent and widespread bloom of Death Caps and Western Destroying Angels across many parts of California, including areas where these mushrooms are not commonly found. While Western Destroying Angels typically bloom into spring, Death Caps would normally be declining by this time of year. Instead, these mushrooms continue to appear abundantly in multiple regions. Recent rains are suspected to be a contributing factor of this unusual resurgence of Death Cap mushrooms beyond their typical growing season.
Death Caps and Western Destroying Angels closely resemble several edible mushroom species in both appearance and taste. Even experienced foragers may have difficulty distinguishing these deadly species from safe varieties.
