Amid a recent increase in poisoning cases, including four deaths, San Diego County’s public health officer is warning all residents not to forage for or eat wild mushrooms.
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The California Department of Public Health recently issued an update to doctors statewide, documenting a rash of mushroom-related cases — 47 as of May 11, with eight reported since mid-April.
“This greatly exceeds the typical report of less than 5 cases of mushroom poisoning each year in California,” a CDPH notice said.
Though none of these cases occurred in San Diego County, Dr. Sayone Thihalolipavan, San Diego County’s public health officer, warned the public Thursday to stick to those species that can be found at the grocery store.
“We are urging San Diegans to please stay safe by avoiding collecting and eating all wild mushrooms,” Thihalolipavan said. “Even mushrooms that look harmless can contain dangerous toxins that lead to life-threatening illness days later.”
CDPH indicates that mushroom-related poisoning cases are occurring in a dozen northern and central California counties.
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“Death Cap and Western Destroying Angel mushrooms have reportedly been collected in a wide variety of locations, including city, county and national park areas across the Northern California and Central Coast regions beyond the initial clusters identified in the Monterey and San Francisco Bay areas,” the CDPH notification states.
Late-season rains, the department notes, have caused “unexpected blooming” in areas where these mushrooms would normally have already died off.
“Because they closely resemble several edible mushroom varieties at different stages of growth, even individuals with foraging experience have encountered difficulty distinguishing them from safe-to-eat varieties,” the state bulletin said.
These varieties contain amatoxins, which are known to cause severe liver damage. San Diego County’s notice adds that symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea may begin from 6 to 24 hours after consumption.
This delay may make it less likely that wild mushroom consumption will be linked to symptoms, making it more difficult for doctors to diagnose the cause quickly enough to take action. California reports four wild mushroom-linked poisoning cases that have required patients to undergo liver transplants.
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