Three adults in Napa County, California, were hospitalized after eating toxic wild mushrooms foraged from the Deer Park area last weekend before May 14, 2026 [1, 2]. The patients’ exposure is part of a larger outbreak in California that has caused at least 47 poisonings and four deaths since mid-November 2025 [1, 2]. Normally, the state sees fewer than five mushroom poisonings annually [1].
Health officials say wet weather has contributed to a resurgence of poisonous mushrooms including the death cap and western destroying angel species, which have caused many of the recent cases [1, 2]. Dr. Christine Wu, Napa County’s Public Health Officer, said, "Poisonous mushrooms can look and taste similar to safe mushrooms, and even experienced mushroom hunters have been affected by this outbreak." She added that new residents unfamiliar with California fungi may confuse toxic mushrooms for edible varieties from their home countries [1, 2].
Many incidents have occurred around California’s Central Coast near Salinas, where communities with foraging traditions from central Mexico reside [1]. A poisoning victim reported, "We thought it was safe. It looked a lot like the ones we picked and ate back in Oaxaca" [1]. Jess Starwood, a herbalist and foraging educator, explained the risk: "Death cap mushrooms can closely resemble edible species in the same family, and novice foragers can very easily make a mistake. In the past, these deadly mushrooms were not as common as they are now, which increases the risk of misidentifying them." [1]
Officials stress that cooking, boiling, freezing, or drying toxic mushrooms does not make them safe to eat [2]. Symptoms often take 6 to 24 hours to appear and start mild but can rapidly worsen, causing liver or kidney failure that may be fatal [2]. Four people have died and several others have required liver transplants during this outbreak [1, 2].
Health authorities urge residents to avoid eating any wild mushrooms this year and to keep children and pets away from wild fungi [1, 2]. Napa County’s health department continues monitoring the situation as it unfolds.
