Health1 min read

California police investigate after 27 fall ill at half-marathon running event

By · Published by Everything Blog

In short

The Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital system treated the affected athletes across emergency facilities in Santa Barbara and Goleta. Event organizers transported 15 individuals directly from on-site medical tents due to dehydration and overheating concerns. While 24 patients were released by Monday, three remained hospitalized in stable condition after experiencing severe complications. One patient described suffering from memory loss and unconsciousness, while others reported hallucinations during the warm coastal event.

Key points

  • Law enforcement initiated an inquiry after hospital staff reported an unusually large wav…: Law enforcement initiated an inquiry after hospital staff reported an unusually large wave of patients.
  • Three participants remained hospitalized in stable condition on Monday while 24 others we…: Three participants remained hospitalized in stable condition on Monday while 24 others were discharged.
  • Some runners experienced severe symptoms including memory loss, loss of consciousness, an…: Some runners experienced severe symptoms including memory loss, loss of consciousness, and hallucinations.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

- Published

Police in Santa Barbara, California, are investigating after nearly 30 people had to seek medical care at a half-marathon running event held in the city on Sunday.

In a statement provided to the BBC's US partner CBS News, officers said they received a report from Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital about race participants who sought medical treatment "for unusual symptoms" after the race ended.

"The cause of the reported symptoms has not been confirmed," the statement added.

Cottage Health, which operates the hospital, told CBS it had seen "a larger than expected number of emergency visits" from those who ran the race.

"There is no specific action recommended for the public at this time; however, participants who feel unwell should seek medical attention and follow guidance from healthcare professionals," police said.

Cottage Hospital said it treated 27 people from the half marathon at emergency rooms in Santa Barbara and the nearby city of Goleta.

The vast majority of them - 24 - were discharged after treatment, while three people were still in hospital as of Monday in stable condition.

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