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Chapter 24 - Infectious Disease and Mass Gathering Medicine

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 April 2024

By
Kak Vivek  and
Mehekmeet Bhatia
Edited by
William J. Brady ,
Mark R. Sochor ,
Paul E. Pepe ,
John C. Maino II  and
K. Sophia Dyer
William J. Brady
Affiliation:
University of Virginia
Mark R. Sochor
Affiliation:
University of Virginia
Paul E. Pepe
Affiliation:
Metropolitan EMS Medical Directors Global Alliance, Florida
John C. Maino II
Affiliation:
Michigan International Speedway, Brooklyn
K. Sophia Dyer
Affiliation:
Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Massachusetts
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Summary

Mass gatherings are characterized by large groups of people gathering in a specific place for various events including religious, sports or music festivals. These events historically have been linked to several outbreaks and even epidemics. The introduction of an infectious agent into a mass gathering event can occur by an infected individual or exposure of individuals to contaminated food or water. The presence of a vast number of individuals with differing susceptibility to infections in proximity can lead to an explosion of infections starting from a small number and lead to development of an outbreak and even epidemics. The key to prevention of such outbreaks is meticulous pre-event planning involving screening of attendees, use of vaccinations and following diligent sanitary and social distancing protocols during the event. In the case of development of an outbreak, authorities need to rapidly be able to find such events and quickly isolate and treat the affected individuals to prevent dissemination of disease and prevent development of an epidemic.

Keywords

Mass gatheringsInfectionsHajjKumbhRespiratory infectionsGastrointestinal infectionsPrevention
Type
Chapter
Information
Mass Gathering Medicine
A Guide to the Medical Management of Large Events
 , pp. 372 - 379
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2024

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