public health surveillance and hajj pilgrimage as a mass gathering.

Public Health Surveillance and Hajj Pilgrimage as a Mass Gathering

A mass gathering (MG) is defined by World Health Organization (WHO) as “any occasion, either organized or spontaneous, that attracts sufficient numbers of people to strain the planning and response resources of the community, city or nation hosting the event” (1). Hajj pilgrimage is one of the fundamental pillars of Islam which must be performed by those Muslims with adequate means and health o...

Hajj and the public health significance of mass gatherings.

Public Health and Mass Gathering Events: Assessing Need for Surveillance in Wales, UK

Introduction Mass gathering is defined by WHO as – “More than specified number of persons (which can be as few as 1000 persons to more than 25000) at a specific location for a specific purpose (social function, large public event or sports competition) for a defined period of time”1. Mass gatherings are considered to have the potential for public health incidents, outbreaks and casualties attri...

Mass gathering medicine: 2014 Hajj and Umra preparation as a leading example.

The importation of infectious diseases during a mass gathering may result in outbreaks. Infectious diseases associated with mass gatherings vary depending on the type and location of the mass gathering. The annual Hajj to Makkah in Saudi Arabia is one of the largest annual religious mass gatherings in the world. Preparation for the Hajj encompasses multiple sectors to develop comprehensive plan...

Indian Medical Mission at Hajj-2016: Mass-Gathering Medicine Perspectives, Challenges, and Opportunities in a Mission Posture

Introduction: Hajj is an annual mass gathering of over 3.5 million pilgrims congregating from 200 countries in the desert climate of Saudi Arabia. Mass gathering medicine at Hajj is challenged by issues of healthcare accessibility, infection control, on-site treatment, referral, evacuation, and response to disasters and public health emergencies. The Indian Medical Mission at H...

Health response to Hajj mass gathering from emergency perspective, narrative review.

Hajj is a unique gathering with Mecca and Kaaba being spiritually important to many faiths across the globe, especially Muslims. This is because of the proclamation of the prophet's father, Ibrahaam, when he called all mankind to perform Hajj. That is why all Muslims on Earth feel that they have to visit Mecca and Kaaba on a specific date and time, and that is the reason this small location hos...