Overview
- The California Poison Control System has logged 21 amatoxin poisonings since mid-November, with clusters in Monterey County and the San Francisco Bay Area.
- One adult has died, several patients—including children—required intensive care, and at least one person is being evaluated for a liver transplant.
- Symptoms can start 6–24 hours after ingestion with gastrointestinal illness, briefly subside, and then progress to severe liver injury within 48–96 hours.
- Cooking, boiling, drying, or freezing does not make death cap or related “destroying angel” mushrooms safe to eat.
- CDPH urges buying mushrooms only from reputable commercial sources and instructs the public and clinicians to call 1-800-222-1222 for guidance.