California Faces Largest Death Cap Mushroom Outbreak Amid Wet December
California Faces Largest Death Cap Mushroom Outbreak Amid Wet December
US · Published Jan 17, 2026
California is experiencing its largest death cap mushroom outbreak due to a wet December, leading to severe illnesses and fatalities.
The California Department of Public Health reports 35 cases of illness, including three deaths and three liver transplants, linked to death cap mushrooms.
Public health officials urge the public to avoid foraging wild mushrooms, as death caps can cause severe liver damage and are often mistaken for edible varieties.
Largest death cap outbreak in California history
California is grappling with its largest death cap mushroom outbreak in recent history, spurred by an unusually wet December. The surge in rainfall has created ideal conditions for the growth of Amanita phalloides, commonly known as the death cap mushroom, across the Central Coast and Northern California. This has led to a concerning rise in severe illnesses and fatalities among those who have ingested these highly toxic fungi.
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