California officials are warning foragers after an outbreak of poisoning linked to wild mushrooms that has killed one adult and caused severe liver damage in several patients, including children.
The state poison control system has identified 21 cases of amatoxin poisoning, likely caused by death cap mushrooms, the health department said Friday. The toxic wild mushrooms are often mistaken for edible ones because of their appearance and taste.
“Death cap mushrooms contain potentially deadly toxins that can lead to liver failure,” Erica Pan, director of the California Department of Public Health, said in a statement. “Because the death cap can easily be mistaken for edible safe mushrooms, we advise the public not to forage for wild mushrooms at all during this high-risk season.”
Mostly you want to wash your hands because mushrooms tend to be covered in dirt/leaves/duff.
Yeah, I can do all that but I draw the line at larvae, as dumb as that sounds. Irrational fear, but I'm getting better haha
I get ya, I've dropped several mushrooms because a surprise slug on the bottom was a little too close to my finger.