Mass gathering events and transmission of respiratory tract infections: updates pre and post COVID-19 lockdown

David S C Hui; Alimuddin Zumla

doi:10.1097/MCP.0000000000000956

Mass gathering events and transmission of respiratory tract infections: updates pre and post COVID-19 lockdown

Curr Opin Pulm Med. 2023 May 1;29(3):133-137. doi: 10.1097/MCP.0000000000000956. Epub 2023 Mar 6.

Authors

David S C Hui¹, Alimuddin Zumla²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Medicine & Therapeutics and Stanley Ho Centre for Emerging Infectious Diseases, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Hong Kong, China.
² Department of Infection, Division of Infection and Immunity, Centre for Clinical Microbiology, University College London, and NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, University College London Hospitals, London, UK.

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.

Publication types

Review
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

COVID-19* / epidemiology
Communicable Disease Control
Humans
Mass Gatherings
Pandemics / prevention & control
Respiratory Tract Infections* / epidemiology
Respiratory Tract Infections* / prevention & control
United States