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Curr Opin Pulm Med
. 2023 Mar 7.
doi: 10.1097/MCP.0000000000000956. Online ahead of print.
Mass gathering events and transmission of respiratory tract infections: updates pre and post COVID-19 lockdown
David S C Hui 1 , Alimuddin Zumla 2
Affiliations
- PMID: 36876655
- DOI: 10.1097/MCP.0000000000000956
Abstract
Purpose of review: This article reviews the epidemiology and transmission of respiratory tract infections (RTIs) during mass gathering events (MGEs) before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Recent findings: RTIs of viral cause such as influenza, rhinovirus and coronaviruses (229E, HKU1, OC43) are common in MGEs. No cases of MERS-CoV have yet been identified in pilgrims during Hajj, despite the fact that MERS-CoV continues to circulate in the Middle East. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, organizers of mass gathering religious and sporting events have implemented risk-based infection control measures and lockdowns that limited transmission of RTIs.
Summary: Large-scale RTI outbreaks at MGEs are uncommon due to more robust public health planning, prevention, risk assessment and improved health infrastructures in host countries during the COVID-19 pandemic.