More Than A Dozen Fall Ill After 'Mudder' Event
BROOKLYN, Mich. (WWJ) - Norovirus is suspected after a day at the Michigan International Speedway apparently made multiple people sick.
The Michigan Department of Community Health is looking into a possible virus that sickened at least a dozen people participating in the "Tough Mudder" competition — an event that involves people running and crawling through mud, along with jumping over logs and other obstacles.
"We are working with local health departments to confirm exactly what this is," said MDCH spokesperson Angela Minicuci. "We suspect that it's norovirus — we don't have confirmation of that yet. So we're looking to collect samples throughout the rest of the week and have an answer by the beginning of next week."
The symptoms so far have included cramping, diarrhea, vomiting – all the things we'd associated with a gastrointestinal illness, Minicuci said.
So far, Minicuci said, the health department has received more than a dozen calls, but expect that number to get much higher as news of the possible virus spreads.
Noroviruses are highly contagious viruses that cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal cramping. Some people also experience headache, low-grade fever, and body aches. Symptoms usually last for 24 to 48 hours.
Anyone who was sickened is asked to call at 517-264-5243.
