An outbreak ofpoisonous mushrooms that has killed four peopleand sickened dozens more across California has claimed three more victims in a wealthy wine country community.
The three adults had to be hospitalized after picking wild mushrooms in Napa County’s Deer Park, health officials said.
None of the victims are Napa County residents, and they foraged the mushrooms between Deer Park Road, Fawn Road and Silverado Trail.
“Recent rains have contributed to the resurgence of poisonous wild mushrooms in California, including in Napa,” said Dr. Christine Wu, public health officer for Napa County, in a statement.
“Poisonous mushrooms can look and taste similar to safe mushrooms, and even experienced mushroom hunters have been affected by this outbreak,” she added.
Dozens of people in California have been poisoned by wild mushrooms since November of last year, leading to four deaths and sickening nearly 50.
Two particularly toxic mushrooms found during the rainy season are the Death Cap mushroom and the Western Destroying Angel mushroom.
Consuming either mushroom can cause death within days via kidney and liver failure. At least three people needed aliver transplantto survive mushroom poisoning, health officials said.
The amount of poisonings this year is unprecedented, given that California typically sees fewer than five mushroom poisonings a year.
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Source: California Post – Breaking California News, Photos & Videos
