San Mateo County Health is warning residents about the serious and potentially deadly risks of eating wild, foraged mushrooms following the illness of a San Mateo County resident linked to death cap mushroom poisoning.
Recent rain has contributed to the widespread growth of death cap mushrooms in California. The California Department of Public Health advises the public to avoid picking and eating wild mushrooms during this high-risk season. Death cap mushrooms, which are currently widespread in parts of Northern California and the Central Coast, contain amatoxins that can cause severe liver damage and death. These mushrooms are often found near trees such as oaks and pines and can be easily mistaken for edible varieties and also pose a risk to pets that may ingest them while outdoors.
Symptoms of death cap mushroom poisoning can begin six to 24 hours after eating the mushrooms and may include watery diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and dehydration. Symptoms may briefly improve before severe liver failure develops one to four days later.
CDPH strongly advises residents to only consume mushrooms purchased from reputable stores or known commercial sources and to avoid all wild mushrooms foraging during this season.
Anyone who may have eaten a wild mushroom or is experiencing symptoms should seek medical care immediately. The California Poison Control is available 24 hours a day to provide expert guidance at (800) 222-1222.
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Keep the discussion civilized. Absolutely NO personal attacks or insults directed toward writers, nor others who make comments.
Keep it clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
Don't threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Anyone violating these rules will be issued a warning. After the warning, comment privileges can be revoked.