CDC Reports 39 Amanita Poisonings and 4 Deaths in Northern California, Mostly From Wild Foraging

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a report on May 28 documenting 39 cases of Amanita mushroom poisonings in Northern California between November and March. Three patients required liver transplants and four people died.

Most cases involved people who ate wild foraged mushrooms. The report identified poisonings from amatoxin-containing species, particularly Amanita phalloides, known as the death cap mushroom, and Amanita ocreata. Amanita is a large genus that includes hundreds of species.

Some produce amatoxins that cause severe liver failure, while others contain different compounds. , generally does not cause the same liver injury but can produce hallucinations, confusion and sedation. Dr.

Leana Wen, an emergency physician and adjunct associate professor at George Washington University who previously served as Baltimore’s health commissioner, said death caps and other amatoxin-containing species initially cause severe nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

Symptoms often begin six to 24 hours after ingestion. After the initial gastrointestinal illness improves, patients may believe they are recovering while the toxin continues damaging the liver and other organs.

Several days later, some develop liver failure, kidney failure, bleeding abnormalities and multi-organ dysfunction. Even with treatment, some require liver transplantation and some die. A 2024 study found Google searches for Amanita mushrooms increased 114 percent in one year.

1 million who use psilocybin. Wen said many consumers do not distinguish between different types of mushrooms. Products are often marketed together under broad wellness or psychedelic themes, creating confusion.