Infectious Disease Management at Mass Gatherings
Summary
Mass gatherings—defined as events that bring together large numbers of people in confined spaces—pose unique challenges for infectious disease control. Effective management hinges on a systematic process of assessing risks posed by specific pathogens, implementing tailored mitigation measures and communicating clearly with participants and health authorities. Core strategies include pre-event risk evaluation to identify likely hazards, real-time surveillance during the event to detect emerging outbreaks, and post-event monitoring to prevent exportation of infections. Planning encompasses environmental controls (ventilation, sanitation), personal measures (vaccination, hygiene promotion) and logistical coordination (medical staffing, isolation facilities). Recent global experiences, notably during the COVID-19 pandemic, have underscored the value of adaptable frameworks that balance public health protection with social and economic considerations. The integration of digital tools for contact tracing and health screening, alongside international collaboration on surveillance data and best-practice guidelines, has reinforced resilience of host communities and minimised spread of pathogens at events ranging from religious pilgrimages to international sporting competitions.
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Infectious Disease Management at Mass Gatherings publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in infectious disease management at mass gatherings across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Mass gathering: A planned or spontaneous event at which the number of people attending is sufficient to strain the planning and response resources of the host community.
Risk-based approach: A systematic method for decision-making that involves assessing the likelihood and impact of hazards, prioritising responses and allocating resources to reduce overall risk.
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR): The ability of microorganisms to survive exposure to antimicrobial drugs that would normally kill them, often resulting from overuse or misuse of antibiotics.
Surveillance: The continuous, systematic collection, analysis and interpretation of health data used to guide public health action.
Mitigation measures: Interventions implemented before, during or after an event to reduce the probability or severity of adverse health outcomes, such as vaccination, personal protective equipment or environmental controls.
References
- Risk-based management of international sporting events during the COVID-19 pandemic. Bulletin of the World Health Organization (2024).
- Threat of Antimicrobial Resistance among Pilgrims with Infectious Diseases during Hajj: Lessons Learnt from COVID-19 Pandemic. Antibiotics (2023).
- COVID-19 Mitigation Plans During Hajj 2020: A Success Story of Zero Cases. Health Security (2020).
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