Participation in muddy obstacle adventure course runs/races (also called ‘Mud Runs’ or ‘Adventure Races’) has surged in popularity in Ireland and elsewhere. A number of outbreaks of infectious disease associated with such events have been reported internationally. An infectious disease outbreak was reported in 2015 in Cork, and there have been anecdotal reports of other outbreaks in Ireland.

It is crucial that participants and organisers are aware of the potential for exposure to certain infectious diseases.

HPSC has produced guidance for organisers and participants of mud runs to alert them to the potential infectious disease risks. http://www.hpsc.ie/A-Z/Environment/AdventureRaces/