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Badur S, Khalaf M, Öztürk S, Al-Raddadi R, Amir A, Farahat F, Shibl A. Meningococcal Disease and Immunization Activities in Hajj and Umrah Pilgrimage: a review. Infect Dis Ther 2022; 11:1343-1369. [PMID: 35585384 PMCID: PMC9334481 DOI: 10.1007/s40121-022-00620-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) outbreaks associated with Hajj and Umrah pilgrimage events in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) are well recognized. Past outbreaks have been associated with substantial intercontinental spread of specific Neisseria meningitidis serogroups. The emergence of meningococcal serogroup W (MenW) was a global concern following the 2000/2001 Hajj outbreaks. Broader compulsory meningococcal serogroups A, C, W and Y (MenACWY) immunization strategies for pilgrims were introduced in response to these events and led to substantial declines in IMD cases associated with these mass gatherings. However, there remains potential for future outbreaks either within KSA during the Hajj or in local populations via pilgrim meningococcal transmission on their return. While the annual Hajj involves pilgrims from over 185 countries, two-thirds of these arrive from 13 countries, chiefly from across South-East Asia, the Middle East and North African (MENA) regions; for which we review the relevant epidemiology of IMD and meningococcal carriage. While disease surveillance is limited and data are often lacking, MenB is an important serogroup associated with IMD and carriage in a number of countries. Available literature suggests that most pilgrims receive polysaccharide MenACWY vaccines (which do not impact carriage and onward transmission) and incomplete compliance with visa/entry immunization regulations is reported. Existing preventative approaches for visiting pilgrims require continued oversight. More complete compliance and switching to the conjugated MenACWY vaccine can provide more robust and broader protection for pilgrims. Additional immunization options could also be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Selim Badur
- EM, Vaccines Scientific Affairs and Public Health, GSK, Büyükdere Caddesi No:173, 1, Levent Plaza B Blok, 34394 Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Mansour Khalaf
- Medical & Clinical Emerging Markets, GSK, Istanbul, Turkey
| | | | - Rajaa Al-Raddadi
- Department of Community Medicine, College of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ashraf Amir
- Department of Medicine, International Medical Center, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Fayssal Farahat
- Infection Prevention and Control Program, King Abdulaziz Medical City, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Ministry of National Guard-Health Affairs, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Atef Shibl
- College of Medicine, Al Faisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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Bäckdahl T, Sharma M. Knowledge and transmission risk awareness of tuberculosis among the pilgrims attending a religious mass gathering in India: a cross-sectional study. BMC Public Health 2021; 21:2141. [PMID: 34809593 PMCID: PMC8607969 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-021-12192-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Tuberculosis infection accounts for more annual deaths than any other single infectious disease, except the Corona Virus infection. It is a significant global issue and India is one of the most affected countries. Religious mass gatherings congregate millions of pilgrims at one place. Over-crowding is a high-risk factor for the transmission of tuberculosis. Knowledge and awareness of the disease are proven prerequisites for the spread-prevention and early diagnosis of tuberculosis. The present study was designed to explore the knowledge of tuberculosis and awareness of disease transmission risk among pilgrims attending a religious mass gathering, the Kumbh Mela (2016) in Ujjain, India. Methods Self-reported data on the pilgrims’ tuberculosis-knowledge were collected using a cross-sectional study design. A contextual, pre-tested questionnaire was used, using the convenience sampling method. In addition to the anonymous descriptive analyses, a composite knowledge-score was developed to enable comparisons between demographic groups. Results In total, 1665 pilgrims participated in the study with 38.8 years of mean age and 59% literacy rate. The most recognized symptoms of tuberculosis were “Cough for more than 15 days with sputum” (94%) and “Blood in sputum” (81%). Most participants knew that tuberculosis is an infectious disease (93%) and not hereditary (91%). Additionally, 84% considered it is a potentially lethal disease that requires extensive treatment. However, vaccine awareness was poor (4%). “Direct contact with tuberculosis patient” (78%) and “To be in a crowded area” (4%) were considered as the most important risk factors for tuberculosis transmission. For the composite knowledge-score, a significantly higher mean score was seen among those with at least ten years of schooling compared with illiterates (p < 0.001). Occupation and residency also affected the mean score. Conclusion Most pilgrims attending the Kumbh Mela had basic knowledge of the characteristics of tuberculosis, but some important knowledge gaps concerning the transmission risks associated with crowded situations existed. These gaps need to be addressed in future policies to enable safer mass gatherings and to end the TB epidemic, globally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tim Bäckdahl
- Department of Global Public Health- Health Systems and Policy (HSP): Medicines, focusing antibiotics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Megha Sharma
- Department of Global Public Health- Health Systems and Policy (HSP): Medicines, focusing antibiotics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. .,Department of Pharmacology, R. D. Gardi Medical College, Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, India.
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Khan AA, Sabbagh AY, Ranse J, Molloy MS, Ciottone GR. Mass Gathering Medicine in Soccer Leagues: A Review and Creation of the SALEM Tool. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18199973. [PMID: 34639274 PMCID: PMC8508246 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18199973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Revised: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
Potential risks for public health incidents, outbreaks, and casualties are inferred at association football events, especially if event organizers have not taken appropriate preventative measures. This review explores the potential risks imposed by mass gathering (MG) football events, with particular emphasis on tools and methodologies to manage the risks of football MG events. Effective planning and implementation of MGs along with the mitigation of risks related to people’s health require special attention to all potential threats, especially in frequent and recurring MG events such as football leagues. The well-being of all participants can be compromised by ignoring a single risk. Healthcare systems should cooperate with all stakeholders and organizations who are involved in MG management and response. Provision of services during MG or a disaster must be performed by trained personnel or entities that have full access to available resources in accessible publicly known locations at the MG event site. Several MG assessment tools were developed worldwide; however, to adapt to the Saudi context, SALEM tool was developed to provide a guide for MG planning and assessment. SALEM assesses the risks of MG events with scores that help to categorize the risk of MG events by offering recommendations for required resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anas A. Khan
- Department of Emergency Medicine, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh 12372, Saudi Arabia
- The Global Centre for Mass Gatherings Medicine, Ministry of Health, Riyadh 12372, Saudi Arabia
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +966-11-806-6590
| | | | - Jamie Ranse
- Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Gold Coast 4215, Australia;
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Gold Coast Health, Gold Coast 4215, Australia
| | - Michael S. Molloy
- University College Dublin School of Medicine and Medical Science, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland;
- Faculty Sports and Exercise Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, RCSI House 121 St. Stephen’s Green, D02 H903 Dublin, Ireland
- Disaster Medicine Fellowship, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, 457 Brookline Ave., Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Wexford General Hospital, Ireland East Hospital Group, Carricklawn, Y35 Y17D Wexford, Ireland
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Badur S, Al Dabbagh MA, Shibl AM, Farahat FM, Öztürk S, Saha D, Khalaf M. The Epidemiology of Invasive Meningococcal Disease in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: A Narrative Review with Updated Analysis. Infect Dis Ther 2021; 10:2035-2049. [PMID: 34390485 PMCID: PMC8363858 DOI: 10.1007/s40121-021-00467-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Reducing invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) through MenACWY immunization is a critical healthcare strategy in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Robust IMD surveillance is essential to help assess the need for additional immunization initiatives in target populations. This is particularly important in KSA, where mass gatherings accompanying Hajj/Umrah pilgrimages have been associated with IMD outbreaks within the local KSA population, and subsequent intercontinental spread via returning pilgrims. This narrative review of the published literature describes the changing epidemiology of IMD in KSA to provide a perspective on the impact of current immunization strategies and potential gaps. As recent published surveillance data are lacking, we also evaluated publicly reported data from the KSA Ministry of Health (MoH) for 2012–2019 to inform more recent IMD trends. Between 1995 and 2011, national surveillance data indicate that 1103 IMD cases were reported in KSA: 60% in 2000–2001, involving two (mainly MenW) outbreaks involving KSA citizens/residents and pilgrims focused in Mecca and Medina. Across 2002–2011, 184 cases of IMD were reported, with a higher proportion occurring in KSA citizens/residents, and with less focus within pilgrimage centers than apparent in previous years. Our analysis of MoH data found that, between 2012 and 2019, 44 IMD cases were reported, all in KSA citizens/residents, and chiefly in children or infants. No pilgrimage-associated outbreaks have occurred since 2001. Serogroup data were available for 62.5% of all cases for 2002–2011; MenW (40.0%), MenA (35.7%), and MenB (16.5%). Serogroup data for 2012–2019 remain incompletely reported, and the existing surveillance system could be improved, as some element of underestimation/underreporting of IMD may exist. While existing MenACWY immunization strategies for KSA citizens/residents and visiting pilgrims have been successful in reducing IMD due to specific serogroups, disease due to MenB remains a potential risk, and additional immunization strategies should be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Selim Badur
- EM, Vaccines Scientific Affairs and Public Health, GSK, Büyükdere Caddesi No:173, 1, Levent Plaza B Blok, 34394, Istanbul, Turkey.
| | - Mona A Al Dabbagh
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, King Abdulaziz Medical City, King Abdullah International Medical Research Centre, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Jidda, Saudi Arabia
| | - Atef M Shibl
- College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Fayssal M Farahat
- Infection Prevention and Control Program, King Abdulaziz Medical City, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs, Jidda, Saudi Arabia
| | - Serdar Öztürk
- Medical & Clinical Emerging Markets, GSK, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Debasish Saha
- Clinical Research and Development, GSK, Wavre, Belgium
| | - Mansour Khalaf
- EM Central Vaccines Medical/Clinical, GSK, Jidda, Saudi Arabia
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Rajab MH. A Master of Public Health with a Concentration in Mass Gatherings Health. Cureus 2019; 11:e5944. [PMID: 31799086 PMCID: PMC6860658 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.5944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2019] [Accepted: 10/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) is in a unique position and different from other nations that periodically host an event, such as the World Cup or the Olympics. The KSA is faced annually with millions of pilgrims coming from around the world to participate in the Hajj, Umrah, and Ziarah rituals. Continuously hosting such huge mass gatherings poses overwhelming challenges to the Saudi healthcare system. Consequently, an additional specialized cadre of qualified public health personnel is needed. The purpose of this article is to describe the establishment of an academic public health program that addresses this need. Materials & Methods In response to the dire need for public health specialists, a landmark project was launched in 2013 at Alfaisal University (AU). The project aimed to establish a Master of Public Health (MPH) program with a concentration in the health aspects of mass gatherings. The MPH program was created in collaboration with the United States-based Partners HealthCare International (PHI), the Saudi Global Center for Mass Gatherings Medicine (GCMGM) at the Ministry of Health (MOH), the Ministry of Education (MOE), and the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (MOHU). A needs assessment was conducted to help in the program development. The needs assessment drew on the unpublished findings of an institutional review board (IRB)-approved anonymous market survey that was administered to prospective students of the MPH program. Results The needs assessment study revealed the need for an MPH program with concentrations in mass gatherings health, health policy and management, and biostatistics and epidemiology. Consequently, we designed an MPH program to include these three concentrations. In particular, the mass gatherings health concentration aimed at preparing qualified public health specialists to help manage risks to the Saudi public health system, to analyze health data, and to recommend policies associated with the continuous mass gatherings events. Challenges to program development included working with multiple governmental agencies, absence of a frame of reference to develop a program curriculum, a lack of qualified faculty, lengthy and tedious government approval procedures, and inadequate funding. After obtaining the required approvals, the MPH program with a concentration in mass gatherings health was inaugurated in the fall of 2016. This program is accredited by the Saudi government to prepare public health specialists trained and locally certified in mass gatherings health issues. Conclusions The public health experts of the AU have established what may be the first MPH program with a concentration in mass gatherings health. The main challenges to program development were identified, and appropriate actions to meet these challenges were taken. This innovative MPH produces certified specialists equipped with the analytical and policy-making tools necessary to continuously monitor and improve the public health aspects of mass gatherings. Besides, the program provides a frame of reference for the development of unique public health programs, not only in the KSA but worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Hasan Rajab
- Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Public Health, College of Medicine, Alfaisal Univerity, Riyadh, SAU
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