Health district still unsure what caused marathon illnesses
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The Southern Nevada Health District still doesn't know what caused hundreds of people to get sick after running the Las Vegas Rock 'n Roll Marathon earlier this month. Video by ktnv.com
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The Health District is investigating the hundreds of complaints from runners on the Rock 'n Roll Marathon. Video by ktnv.com
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Las Vegas, NV (KTNV) -- The Southern Nevada Health District released a report with little new information Thursday on illness outbreak that plagued many runners in the Las Vegas Rock 'n Roll Marathon earlier this month.
Based on initial results, the health district still has not been able to identify the pathogen that caused the outbreak. They're continuing to conduct tests and hope to release a final report soon.
Complaints of illness began coming in during the days following the Dec. 4 marathon. The health district posted a survey online for race participants to fill out.
More than 1,000 surveys were completed, and about half of survey participants said they became sick after the race.
'While our initial testing has been unable to identify the pathogen, our initial analysis of the survey data indicates that the outbreak is most likely infectious in nature," said Dr. Lawrence Sands, chief health officer. "We are continuing to test the samples we've received from runners to identify the cause."
Many runners reported to Action News that water from fire hydrants and garbage cans caused their illness. The health district says that isn't like the case.
"At this time, our investigation does not point to water given to runners as the likely source of the infection," Sands said. "Although we might be able to identify the pathogen, we might not be able to identify the source of the infection."
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