Mass gatherings and infectious diseases: prevention, detection, and control

Abstract

Mass gatherings have attracted the attention of the medical community because of the increased demand made on existing services and the potential for public health problems resulting from changes in population dynamics and behaviors. Crowding, lack of hygiene, and rapid population movement at mass gatherings can lead to the emergence of infectious diseases, with the potential for spread across the globe. Numerous infections pose considerable challenges to organizers of mass gatherings and the hosts of these events. This review highlights the risks of infectious diseases, and key interventions for their prevention, at mass gatherings.