From the Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services:

Amanita phalloides, aka a Death Cap mushroom. | Archenzo, CC BY-SA 3.0.

 


A local individual is currently in an out-of-area ICU suffering from amatoxin poisoning after consuming mushrooms foraged by a friend in Humboldt County. While details are very limited, it appears that the individual who picked the mushrooms was an experienced forager who shared the mushrooms with the now sick individual and possibly other friends on Friday, March 13.

The individual consumed the mushrooms on Friday and went to a local emergency department Saturday after feeling sick. They have since been transferred to an out-of-area hospital. The individual has been too ill to provide any additional information about who they received the mushrooms from. While the type of mushroom has not been verified, health officials believe it is likely a Death Cap.

In December, the California Department of Public Health issued an alert after 21 cases of amatoxin poisoning were identified by the California Poison Control System. Although significant clusters were reported in the Monterey and San Francisco Bay areas, officials warned the risk could be statewide. As of February, confirmed cases had resulted in severe liver damage in both pediatric and adult patients, including four deaths.

Anyone with information about the current incident, should contact the Humboldt County Department of Health & Human Services Public Health Branch at 707-268-2182.

If you have consumed foraged mushrooms in the last week:

Symptoms of mushroom poisoning

  • Symptoms may not appear until 6 to 24 hours after eating a poisonous mushroom.
  • Mild symptoms (even mild nausea) can be the beginning of a more severe reaction. Sometimes early symptoms go away within a day, but serious to fatal liver damage can still develop within 2 to 3 days.
  • Seek help immediately, if you or someone you know has eaten a poisonous mushroom. Do not wait for symptoms to appear. Treatment is more difficult once symptoms start.    

Common early symptoms include (but are not limited to):

  • Stomach pain
  • Cramping
  • Diarrhea
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Drop in blood pressure
  • Fatigue
  • Confusion

Mushroom poisoning can lead to serious complications, including:

  • Liver damage (sometimes leading to the need for a liver transplant)
  • Kidney damage
  • Hallucinations and euphoria
  • Seizures
  • Death

What to do if you may have eaten a poisonous mushroom:

  • Immediately seek medical care and call the California Poison Control Hotline at 1-800-222-1222 if you or someone you know may have eaten a poisonous mushroom. The hotline can tell you exactly what to do in the case of a mushroom poisoning. They also provide guidance to medical providers to help ensure proper care. The hotline is free and operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in over 200 languages.
  • When you go to the hospital take any of the uneaten mushroom with you if you can. Experts can identify the mushroom, which can help with your medical care. To preserve the mushroom, place it in a paper bag or waxed paper (not plastic) and refrigerate. If you don’t have the mushroom, photos of the mushroom (including its cap, stem and underside) can be helpful.