Poisonous Mushrooms Kill 3 And Sicken Dozens In CA: Bay Area Officials Issue Warning

EAST BAY, CA — At least three people have died in the last few months after eating wild mushrooms, and dozens more have gotten sick across California, prompting health officials to issue a warning to stop consuming the fungi.

The most recent death happened in Sonoma County just after the New Year, according to health officials. So far, there have been 35 cases of wild mushroom poisoning in California, between mid-November 2025 and early January — significantly more than expected in an average year, Sonoma County interim Health Officer Dr. Michael Stacey said in a statement Thursday.

"Early rains and a mild fall have led to profusion of the toxic death cap mushrooms in Northern California," Stacey said in a statement Thursday. "Eating wild mushrooms gathered without expert identification can be unsafe. Some harmful varieties closely resemble edible mushrooms, even to experienced foragers."

The best way to stay safe is to avoid eating wild mushrooms altogether or any mushrooms picked by friends or family, officials said.

SEE ALSO: 1 Dead, Nearly 2 Dozen Sickened In CA Poisoning Outbreak Linked To Mushrooms

It is recommended that people buy mushrooms only from trusted grocery stores and retailers and be wary of mushrooms sold by street vendors, officials said.

Symptoms usually appear within 24 hours of eating a poisonous mushroom, and can range from mild nausea to serious and fatal liver damage, health officials said.

Officials warn anyone who believes they've eaten a poisonous mushroom not wait for symptoms to appear, as they can be more difficult to treat once they start.

East Bay Regional Park District officials issued a similar advisory against eating wild mushrooms in December 2025, warning people that not only is picking mushrooms in their parks not allowed, but some also can contain dangerous toxins.

The death cap and western destroying mushrooms are amongst the world's most toxic mushrooms, and both can be found in regional Bay Area parks during the rainy season, park officials said. These mushrooms are mainly found growing along oak trees, according to park officials.

While these two are responsible for most mushroom poisonings across California, deadly toxins can also be found in Galerina and Lepiota mushroom species, which also grow in the Bay Area.

"The best way to stay safe is to ensure that no mushrooms are consumed by humans or pets," park officials said. "As an added safety measure, learn to recognize poisonous mushroom species when encountering them in Regional Parks."

For anyone wanting to learn more about fungi and learn about hundreds of local mushrooms, the East Bay Regional Park District is hosting multiple upcoming events.

These events include the Tilden Fungus Fair on Saturday, Jan. 31, and Sunday, Feb. 1, at the Tilden Nature Area in Berkeley, the Mushroom Tea & Trails on Sunday, Feb. 1, and Sunday, Feb. 15, at Coyote Hills in Fremont and an ongoing "Mushrooms!" event through January and February.