April Demboski

Early rains and warm temperatures sparked a super bloom of death caps in the fall.

35 people were hospitalized, three needed liver transplants, and three died.

Some dogs have also died.

Dr. Craig Smolin runs the San Francisco Division of the state's poison control system.

Immigrants from Mexico have been disproportionately impacted because the local death cap looks very similar to an edible mushroom that grows in Oaxaca.

For NPR News, I'm April Domboski in San Francisco.

Early rains and warm temperatures sparked a super bloom of death caps in the fall.

35 people were hospitalized, three needed liver transplants, and three died.

Some dogs have also died.

Dr. Craig Smolin runs the San Francisco Division of the state's poison control system.

Immigrants from Mexico have been disproportionately impacted because the local death cap looks very similar to an edible mushroom that grows in Oaxaca.

For NPR News, I'm April Domboski in San Francisco.

Statewide data show only 19 people have been court-ordered into treatment, while more than 600 have entered care voluntarily.

That's due in part to new California state funding that pays outreach workers to persuade patients to accept help before forcing them into it.

Orange County social worker Giovanni Figueroa says it can take dozens of visits to build trust.

As he sees it, the success of CareCourt is getting people to accept treatment before a judge has to order it.

For NPR News, I'm April Domboski in Orange County.

Statewide data show only 19 people have been court-ordered into treatment, while more than 600 have entered care voluntarily.

That's due in part to new California state funding that pays outreach workers to persuade patients to accept help before forcing them into it.

Orange County social worker Giovanni Figueroa says it can take dozens of visits to build trust.