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FIFA World Cup 2006 in Germany: enhanced surveillance improved timeliness and detection
C J Williams1, K Schenkel, T Eckmanns
1Department for Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany. kitwilliams@doctors.org.uk
Abstract:
Enhanced surveillance for infectious disease events, with accelerated routine reporting and daily supplementary reports, was undertaken during the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany. We evaluated the surveillance outputs, reporting intervals and detection of World Cup-relevant events for the enhanced system. Outbreak numbers for measles, Norovirus and Campylobacter were significantly higher than in previous years, but all increases were explained by prior trends. The median interval (disease onset to receipt at national centre) fell from 17 days in 2005 to 12 days in 2006. Detection of World Cup-relevant events was 44% (8/18) in the routine system and 77% (14/18) in supplementary reports. We did not identify any significant effect on infectious disease epidemiology relating to the FIFA 2006 World Cup. Daily reporting improved timeliness, and supplementary reporting improved relevant event detection. Enhancing existing systems, without the addition of syndromic surveillance, can be an effective approach to mass-event surveillance.
Insights
Enhanced infectious disease surveillance during the 2006 FIFA World Cup improved reporting timeliness and detection of relevant events. The study found no significant impact on overall infectious disease epidemiology from the event.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Infectious Disease Surveillance
Background:
- Mass gatherings like the FIFA World Cup pose potential risks for infectious disease transmission.
- Effective surveillance systems are crucial for monitoring and responding to public health threats during large events.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate an enhanced infectious disease surveillance system during the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany.
- To assess the impact of accelerated routine and supplementary reporting on timeliness and event detection.
Main Methods:
- Implemented enhanced surveillance with accelerated routine and daily supplementary reporting.
- Analyzed surveillance outputs, reporting intervals, and detection rates of World Cup-relevant events.
- Compared 2006 data with previous years and assessed trends for specific infectious diseases.
Main Results:
- Measles, Norovirus, and Campylobacter outbreaks increased but were attributed to prior trends.
- Median reporting interval decreased from 17 days (2005) to 12 days (2006).
- Detection of World Cup-relevant events improved from 44% in routine to 77% in supplementary reports.
Conclusions:
- Enhanced existing surveillance systems, without syndromic surveillance, can effectively monitor mass events.
- Accelerated daily reporting enhances timeliness, while supplementary reports improve relevant event detection.
- No significant impact on infectious disease epidemiology was identified related to the FIFA 2006 World Cup.
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