Executive Summary
- A Salinas couple was poisoned after mistaking toxic wild mushrooms for an edible Oaxacan variety.
- The husband, Carlos Diaz, suffered acute liver failure and fell into a coma, requiring an emergency transplant.
- The incident coincides with a regional spike involving 21 poisonings statewide and seven hospitalizations in Monterey County.
- Experts warn that cooking toxic mushrooms does not neutralize deadly toxins.
A Salinas, California, couple is urging public caution regarding wild foraging after a hiking excursion resulted in a near-fatal poisoning and a life-saving liver transplant for one of the individuals. Laura Marcelino and her husband, Carlos Diaz, reportedly consumed toxic mushrooms they had mistaken for edible varieties during a hike on November 30.
According to Marcelino, the couple discovered the wild mushrooms while hiking to relieve stress. She noted that the fungi bore a strong visual resemblance to edible species they were accustomed to foraging in their native Oaxaca, Mexico. Believing the mushrooms were safe due to the active rainy season—a common indicator for harvest in their hometown—the couple collected them for a meal.
Marcelino stated that she prepared and cooked the mushrooms at home, and she and Diaz were the only ones to consume them. Shortly thereafter, both began experiencing severe gastrointestinal symptoms, including vomiting and diarrhea. Marcelino told reporters that they initially dismissed the symptoms as a minor illness but sought medical attention after Diaz’s condition deteriorated significantly later that day.
The couple was admitted to Natividad Medical Center for treatment. While Marcelino’s condition eventually stabilized, hospital staff determined that Diaz was suffering from acute organ failure. He was transferred to Stanford Health Care, where he subsequently fell into a coma. Marcelino recalled doctors informing her that Diaz was suffering from severe swelling and required an immediate liver transplant to survive.
Diaz was placed at the top of the transplant list due to the severity of his condition and successfully received a donor liver. Speaking from his hospital bed during his recovery, Diaz expressed gratitude to the donor’s family for the life-saving gift. Both Diaz and Marcelino are now issuing strong warnings to the community, advising against the collection and consumption of any wild mushrooms.
Public Health Perspective
This incident highlights a critical seasonal danger in California, coinciding with reports of a broader spike in mycological toxicity cases. Recent data indicates 21 mushroom poisonings statewide, with seven hospitalizations recorded specifically in Monterey County. Health experts warn that many lethal North American species, such as the Death Cap (Amanita phalloides), can easily be mistaken for edible international varieties. Furthermore, medical professionals emphasize that standard cooking and preparation methods do not neutralize the heat-stable toxins found in these mushrooms, making even small amounts potentially lethal without immediate medical intervention.
