Mysterious illness affects 19 participants of Santa Barbara Half Marathon.
At least 19 runners were hospitalized after experiencing unusual symptoms following the Santa Barbara Half Marathon in California, prompting a police investigation into what caused the participants to fall ill. Cottage Health, which operates the hospitals that treated the participants, confirmed that 19 runners arrived at its emergency departments following the race. Andre Miller at 805-897-2330.
“The cause of the reported symptoms has not been confirmed,” police said, adding that participants who felt unwell should seek medical attention. Santa Barbara police are also investigating the incident. Police have asked anyone with information about the incident, including participants who experienced unusual symptoms after the race, to contact Sgt.
“This morning 19 participants arrived at Cottage EDs, a number of them with similar symptoms of undetermined cause. 12 runners were transported by emergency crews to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital, while another three were taken to Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital, according to the Santa Barbara City Fire Department. Emergency crews responded to several locations along the course, including State and Cota streets, between 9.40 am and 10.45 am.
“We have a larger than expected number of emergency visits that are tracked to participants in this morning’s organized run in [Santa Barbara],” the hospital system said in a statement. Four additional participants reached the hospitals on their own.