Mass Gatherings Syndromic Surveillance
Syndromic surveillance of mass gatherings provides an opportunity to identify potential public health problems associated with these large gatherings, enabling a timely public health response.
Mass gatherings are defined as gatherings of more than 1,000 persons at a specific location for a specific purpose, although the majority of the available literature defines gatherings exceeding 25,000 persons.
The Real-time Syndromic Surveillance Team (ReSST) have utilised the routine syndromic surveillance systems during previous mass gatherings including large geo-political meetings and international sporting and religious events:
- G20 Summit, London March/April 2009
- 2010 Ryder Cup, Celtic Manor Wales
- UK visit of Pope Benedict XVI, September 2010
The HPA are currently preparing for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games which will provide a major public health challenge.
The ReSST have undertaken the development of two new national surveillance systems (GP out of hours and emergency department) which will enhance the syndromic surveillance service available, helping the HPA respond to the challenge of the 2012 Olympics.
WHO mass gatherings website [external link]
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