Mushroom Poisoning: America, one of the most developed countries in the world, is currently in fear of a natural ‘silent killer’. In California, the wild mushroom ‘death cap’ (Amanita phalloides) has wreaked havoc in a way that health officials have described as “unprecedented”. According to the Guardian report, between November 2025 and February 2026, there have been 4 deaths and 40 people have reached the hospital, many of whom are in need of liver transplant. But this threat is not limited to America only. This mushroom is claiming many lives every year in the hilly states of India and also in the North-East.
What is this ‘Death Cap’ affair?
In scientific language it is called ‘Amanita phalloides’, but its function is the same as its name – the lid of death. This mushroom grows under oak trees and looks exactly the same as the ones we buy from the market and eat.
The most scary thing is that if a healthy strong person eats even half of it, he can die. And yes, if you are thinking that boiling, frying or drying it will remove its poison, then you are wrong. Its poison does not end under any circumstances.
Emergency like situation in California: Why is the disease spreading?
According to experts, This year’s record rainfall (wet winter) has caused flooding in the forests. In such a situation, migrant workers from Mexico and Oaxaca are eating it considering it to be the ‘edible mushroom’ of their country. People are turning to AI mobile apps to identify mushrooms, which are often misidentifying the ‘death cap’ as a ‘puffball’ or other edible mushroom.
Between November 2025 and February 2026, there have been 4 deaths and 40 people have reached the hospital, many of whom are in need of liver transplant.
Danger in India too-
If you think this is only about America, then be careful. Last year, during the rainy season, a similar incident took place in Ranikhet (Kumaon) of Uttarakhand, where 4 women lost their lives after eating wild mushrooms.
Dr. Arun Joshi of Sushila Tiwari Hospital, Haldwani, who treated him, had told how this poison wreaks havoc after entering the body. He told that after consuming it, the patient experiences severe vomiting and diarrhea throughout the night. Gradually, infection occurs in the lungs and the respiratory system fails completely. Ultimately the liver fails and the person dies.
Every year such news comes from the states of North-East India, where people unknowingly pluck mushrooms from the forest and cook vegetables at home and then the whole family reaches the hospital.
How to identify this ‘death’ mushroom? Experts say that it is very difficult to identify, but keep a few things in mind:
-Its upper part can be light yellow, green or brown.
-The stripes (gills) below it are completely white.
-There is a ‘cup’ like part at the bottom of its stem.
-You may not feel anything for 6 to 24 hours after eating it, but inside it starts cutting the liver.
Prevention is the best cure- Expert Rudy Diaz says that “picking mushrooms is not a child’s play, it requires years of experience.” So if you are fond of mushrooms, then keep these things in mind:
-Do not even touch any mushroom growing in the forest or field, leave alone eating it.
-Always buy mushrooms from a trusted shop or store.
-If you feel even slight pain in the stomach or vomiting after eating mushrooms, then immediately run to the doctor.
