Santa Barbara Police Probe Mysterious Illness Outbreak at Half Marathon

Authorities in Santa Barbara, California, are investigating after nearly 30 people required medical care following a half-marathon held in the city on Sunday.

In a statement provided to CBS News, the BBC’s U.S. partner, police said they received a report from Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital that race participants sought 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 remained in hospital as of Monday in stable condition.

Several thousand people ran the half marathon on a hotter-than-usual day in Santa Barbara along the Pacific Ocean. Temperatures reportedly reached 86F (27C) by midday, compared to a typical early November temperature in the low 70s.

One of the runners who went to hospital told local news outlet KEYT-TV that they had lost consciousness and could not remember parts of the race.

“It is awfully suspicious,” said the runner, who declined to be identified. “We had people saying they were hallucinating.”

“I am not too familiar with heat exhaustion, but I have never seen anyone not remembering a long portion of their run,” the runner added.

Event director David Monico told U.S. media that 15 people were taken from the medical tent to local hospitals because of dehydration and overheating.

The BBC has contacted the Santa Barbara Police Department, Cottage Health, and the half-marathon organizers for further comment.

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