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Review
. 2020 May;26(3):197-202.
doi: 10.1097/MCP.0000000000000675.

Transmission of respiratory tract infections at mass gathering events

Eskild Petersen  1   2   3 , Ziad A Memish  4   5   6 , Alimuddin Zumla  7 , Amal Al Maani  8   9
Affiliations
Review

Transmission of respiratory tract infections at mass gathering events

Eskild Petersen et al. Curr Opin Pulm Med. 2020 May.

Abstract

Purpose of review: Mass gathering events bring people from across all continents increasing the risk of spread of aerosol transmissible respiratory tract infections. Respiratory tract infections for instance in pilgrims attending the world's largest recurring annual pilgrimage, the Hajj are common. We review recent literature on viral and bacterial infectious diseases with special focus on the Hajj.

Recent findings: The prevalence of bacterial and viral infections continue to increase, because of the acquisition of rhinovirus, coronaviruses (229E, HKU1, OC43), influenza A H1N1, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae and Staphylococcus aureus during Hajj. Whilst MERS-CoV continues to circulate in the Middle East, no cases of MERS-CoV have yet been identified in pilgrims during Hajj.

Summary: Respiratory tract infections are a major cause of morbidity in pilgrims attending mass gathering events. The management of severe respiratory infections should consider investigation and empirical coverage for the most likely agents based on syndromic surveillance data from hosting country and /or other relevant exposure history during events. Pneumococcal and Pertussis vaccines should be recommended for Hajj pilgrims.

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References

    1. WHO. Communicable disease alert and response for mass gatherings. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2008 (WHO/CDS/EPR). Available at: http://www.who.int/csr/Mass_gatherings2.pdf. (Accessed 21 November 2019)
    1. General Authority for Statistics, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Available at: https://www.stats.gov.sa/en/28. (Accessed 23 November 2019)
    1. Memish ZA, Steffen R, White P, et al. Mass gatherings medicine: public health issues arising from mass gathering religious and sporting events. Lancet 2019; 393:2073–2084.
    1. Memish ZA, Assiri A, Turkestani A, et al. Mass gathering and globalization of respiratory pathogens during the 2013 Hajj. Clin Microbiol Infect 2015; 21:571.e1–571.e8.
    1. McCloskey B, Endericks T, Catchpole M, et al. London 2012 olympic and paralympic games: public health surveillance and epidemiology. Lancet 2014; 383:2083–2089.

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