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California Mushroom Outbreak Kills Four, Sickens 47

5/15/2026

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Summary

Story summary

California officials report a mushroom outbreak with 47 illnesses and four deaths since November 18, 2025.
Three adults who foraged in Napa County’s Deer Park area were hospitalized, a surge Dr. Christine Wu attributes to recent rains that boosted poisonous fungi.
State agencies warned that cooking, boiling, freezing or drying does not make toxic mushrooms safe and urged people who ate them to seek care and call California Poison Control Hotline at 800-222-1222.

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Story summary

California officials report a mushroom outbreak with 47 illnesses and four deaths since November 18, 2025.
Three adults who foraged in Napa County’s Deer Park area were hospitalized, a surge Dr. Christine Wu attributes to recent rains that boosted poisonous fungi.
State agencies warned that cooking, boiling, freezing or drying does not make toxic mushrooms safe and urged people who ate them to seek care and call California Poison Control Hotline at 800-222-1222.