A deadly outbreak of wild mushroom poisonings that began last November has continued in California, with eight new cases from late April through early May, including one in Monterey County, according to the California Poison Control System in an announcement on May 11.
Between Nov. 18 and May 11 there were 47 people hospitalized due to eating foraged wild mushrooms, the Poison Control announcement said. Four of the hospitalizations took place over the weekend of May 9-10, including the Monterey County case.
Of all 47 cases, four of the patients developed severe liver failure and required liver transplants. Four other patients died. The patients ranged in age from 19 to 56 years old.
In November, a husband and wife were poisoned after foraging for mushrooms in Toro Park. The wife recovered by the husband was transferred from Natividad Medical Center to Stanford Hospital where he underwent an emergency liver transplant.
During the same time period, at least13 people total were sickened in Monterey County.
The poisonings are linked to two types of wild mushrooms: Amanita phalloides, known as the "death cap" mushroom; and, Amanita ocreata, known as the "destroying angel."
The two can be easily mistaken for safe mushrooms. Poison Control officials warn they should not be foraged or consumed.
Safety tips include to not pick or eat wild mushrooms because they can be easily mistaken for poisonous ones and to purchase cultivated mushrooms from a grocery store or market.
Call 911 immediately if you suspect mushroom poisoning. The toll-free Poison Hotline for professional guidance is 1-800-222-1222.