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Abstract
Issue/Problem
Religious Mass Gathering (MG) represent one of public health challenges for Health Authorities due to potential spread of communicable diseases. This is much more true during a pandemic as COVID-19. Surveillance is crucial to prevent further spreading of infectious disease related to a religious MG.
Description of the problem
During international contact tracing activities an increase of reporting of COVID-cases with a travel history to a Catholic shrine in Europe was observed, despite travel restrictions put in place. In order to promote public health actions as risk communication, a risk evaluation was conducted. A descriptive analysis was carried out: personal and vaccination data were collected; for cases, date and type of positive tests, date of symptoms’ onset were collected; for high-risk contacts, date and type of negative tests at the end of follow-up were collected. Frequencies were calculated.
Results
Six journeys back from Medjugorje were identified, with at least one positive case. All trips took place between 18/09/2021 and 29/10/2021. 31 positive cases out of 160 travellers were identified, with number of cases per travel ranging from 1 to 11.
Lessons
Religious MG represent an important global health issue. Even though a specific surveillance was not activated, international contact tracing activities turned out a great source of epidemic intelligence and consequent surveillance and control activities led to risk assessment and communication actions.
Key messages
• In the pandemic context, where travel restrictions were put in place, surveillance for Religious MG should be always implemented.
• Cooperation among all the stakeholders involved as Church, travel agency, Regional Health Systems and Government Bodies has to be promoted for specific surveillance in religious MG events.
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Details
1 DG Health Prevention, Ministry of Health, Rome, Italy