The Sonoma County Public Health Department has launched an investigation into multiple cases of possible infection reported among participants at last weekend’s endurance race in Sonoma.
At least 15 people who attended the Sonoma Tough Mudder Race at Sonoma Raceway on Saturday and Sunday reported rashes and pustules, some with fever and malaise, the provisional Sonoma County said. Health Officer Dr. Karen Smith told the Press Democrats on Wednesday.
Local doctors also reported hearing similar cases from patients who attended the race. Smith said doctors have seen a case of “swimmer’s itch,” small red bumps that eventually disappear without medical intervention, common after prolonged mud exposure.
However, the health department determined it was concerned that some doctors had reported symptoms consistent with a bacterial infection.
“This greatly increased the need to investigate this in greater depth,” Smith said.
Smith said one doctor found a patient who tested positive for Aeromonas, a bacterium found in water that can cause symptoms similar to a staphylococcal infection.
Another participant, Nicole Villagran, 38, from El Sobrante, told Press-Democrat that cultures she gave doctors also tested positive for bacteria.
Villigran said he experienced a range of symptoms, including pus-filled wounds, fatigue, headaches, chills and lightheadedness.
Aeronorma “outbreaks are rare unless there’s a large group of people swimming in the same polluted pool, for example,” Smith said.
Smith said the ministry has yet to confirm that the bacterium is linked to all reported cases.
“We haven’t found a definitive link to what’s going on with a specific organism yet, but we’re concerned enough that we’re actually starting to look into it,” she said.
This survey is intended to help patients and physicians by providing them with first-hand information about what the county is learning from these cases, as well as guidance on how to diagnose them. .
Sonoma Raceway declined to comment Wednesday, saying Tough Mudder wanted all media requests to be directed to the company. Brooklyn, N.Y.-based Tough Mudder did not respond to a request for comment.
However, Democrats of the Press obtained emails the organization sent to participants after the race.
“We are aware of several reports of people experiencing health issues after attending last weekend’s Tuff Mudders Sonoma event and are contacting them,” the statement said.
“The health and safety of our Tough Mudder community has always been our top priority and we would like to inform you that we are therefore proactively taking all necessary steps to thoroughly investigate this matter. Masu.
“If you have any medical concerns, please consider seeing a doctor.
“We appreciate your understanding and patience as we continue to investigate this matter.”
The Sonoma County Public Health Department is asking Tough Mudder participants experiencing similar symptoms to contact their doctor and contact the appropriate department to report the case.
Contact staff writer Madison Smalstig at madison.smalstig@pressdemocrat.com. You can find me on Twitter at @madi.smals.