4 Dead After Eating Toxic Death Cap Mushrooms in California

Deadly mushrooms spreading after heavy rains, prompting health warnings

Feb. 6, 2026 at 7:47pm

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Four people have died and three others have required liver transplants after eating death cap mushrooms that are proliferating in California following a rainy winter. The California Department of Public Health is urging people to avoid all mushroom foraging this year due to the risk of confusing the deadly death cap mushrooms with safe, edible varieties.

Why it matters

Death cap mushrooms are one of the most poisonous mushrooms in the world and can be fatal if consumed. Their spread across California after heavy rains poses a serious public health risk, especially as they can be mistaken for safe, edible mushrooms by foragers.

The details

The death cap mushrooms have been spreading across California after a rainy winter season. Consuming the mushrooms can lead to liver failure and death. In the recent incidents, four people died and three others required liver transplants after eating the toxic mushrooms.

  • The incidents occurred in February 2026.

The players

California Department of Public Health

The state's public health agency that is warning residents about the dangers of the spreading death cap mushrooms.

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What’s next

The California Department of Public Health is urging all residents to avoid mushroom foraging this year to prevent further deaths and illnesses from the toxic death cap mushrooms.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the serious public health risk posed by the spread of highly poisonous death cap mushrooms in California, underscoring the importance of public education and caution when it comes to wild mushroom foraging.