Another 3 people had to undergo a liver transplant after eating the Amanita phalloides mushroom
Last week, California (USA) recorded the third death in the state due to consumption of a type of poisonous mushroom. 35 cases of poisoning have already been reported from November 18, 2025 to January 4, 2026. Another 3 people who ate it had to undergo liver transplants.
Sonoma County’s interim health director, Michael Stacey, has made a request that residents of the region, near San Francisco, not eat mushrooms collected without identification. He said early rains and a mild autumn led to the species’ proliferation Amanita phalloidesalso known as “death hat”.
“Eating wild mushrooms collected without expert identification can be dangerous. Some harmful varieties look very similar to edible mushrooms, even for experienced collectors,” declared Stacey.
SYMPTOMS
Symptoms may take up to 24 hours to be felt after ingestion.
Initial, milder symptoms, such as nausea, may disappear after 1 day, but are the beginning of a more serious reaction. According to the Sonoma Health Department, the condition can progress to acute liver injury and liver failure (when there is a serious deterioration in liver function) in 2 or 3 days.
It is necessary to seek medical help immediately if you ingest a poisonous mushroom, even if there are no symptoms.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Here’s what the Sonoma County Health Department says:
- do not eat wild mushrooms;
- do not eat mushrooms picked by other people, even family and friends;
- be careful with children in outdoor areas where there are mushrooms;
- keep pets away from mushrooms (they can also be poisoned);
- buy mushrooms only in trusted stores and supermarkets;
- Cooking, boiling, freezing or drying poisonous mushrooms does not make them safe to consume.
