4 Dead, 3 Require Liver Transplants After Eating Toxic Mushrooms in California

Death cap mushrooms spreading after rainy winter, prompting public health warnings

Feb. 6, 2026 at 6:55pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Four people have died and three others have required liver transplants after eating the deadly death cap mushroom, which is proliferating in California following a rainy winter. The California Department of Public Health is urging people to avoid mushroom foraging altogether this year due to the risk of mistaking the toxic death cap for safe, edible varieties.

Why it matters

The rise in death cap mushroom poisonings highlights the dangers of wild mushroom foraging, especially in areas where toxic varieties are spreading. This poses a particular risk to certain communities, including Spanish, Mixteco, and Mandarin Chinese speakers, who have been disproportionately affected. The situation underscores the need for greater public awareness and education around mushroom safety.

The details

Since November 18, there have been more than three dozen cases of mushroom poisonings reported in California, including the four deaths and three liver transplants. Many of those affected suffered from rapidly evolving acute liver injury and liver failure, requiring intensive care. The victims ranged in age from 19 months to 67 years old.

  • Since November 18, there have been more than three dozen cases of mushroom poisonings reported.
  • The California Department of Public Health issued a public health warning in early 2026.

The players

California Department of Public Health

The state agency that is urging people to avoid mushroom foraging this year due to the risk of death cap mushroom poisonings.

U.S. Poison Centers

Handled 2,315 mushroom exposures from September 2025 through January 2026, a 40% increase compared to the same period the previous year.

Laura Marcelino

A 36-year-old woman from Salinas, California, whose family gathered mushrooms that turned out to be death caps, leading to her husband requiring a liver transplant.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The California Department of Public Health is expanding its warnings about the dangers of death cap mushrooms in multiple languages to reach affected communities.

The takeaway

The rise in death cap mushroom poisonings in California underscores the critical need for public education and awareness around the risks of wild mushroom foraging, especially in areas where toxic varieties are spreading. This public health crisis disproportionately impacts certain communities and highlights the importance of seeking professional guidance when it comes to identifying and consuming wild mushrooms.