California health officials have issued an advisory following the illness of several individuals who took part in the Tough Mudder race last weekend. According to the Sonoma County Department of Health Services, nearly 20 participants who ran in the Tough Mudder challenge at Sonoma Raceway on August 19 and 20 experienced rashes with fever, along with muscle pain or nausea and vomiting.
Health officials stated, “The Tough Mudder race involved extensive skin exposure to mud. Most affected individuals have a pustular rash, fever, myalgia, and headache. These symptoms could be indicative of a minor illness called Swimmers’ Itch, but they can also indicate a Staph infection or other more serious bacterial infection such as Aeromonas.”
Athletes who took part in the race crawled through mud and water, as well as climbed over and under obstacles, such as a barbed wire fence. Some contestants shared their condition on social media, complaining of a red rash with pus, fever, and body aches.
Images of the rashes were shared by Tough Mudder participants with KTVU, which showed their arms and legs covered in infectious sores.
Interim health officer Dr. Karen Smith stated that at least 22 people contacted the Sonoma County health department to report rashes. Officials believe that individuals likely contracted a bacterial infection called Aeromonas, which is a bacterium found in water and is contracted through open wounds. It is not contagious.
“We want to be sure to let people know… if you attended this event and you have a rash, fever, aches, we want you to go see your doctor,” Smith told KTVU.
Smith mentioned that one person who saw an infectious disease specialist tested positive for Aeromonas bacteria. The infection is often misdiagnosed as a staph infection or swimmer’s itch, which is a skin rash caused by an allergic reaction to certain microscopic parasites.
Sonoma County health officials urged anyone who participated in the race and later developed a rash to seek medical attention.
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