Evidence for excessive incidence of infectious diseases at mass gatherings with special reference to sporting events

In recent years most of big spring events are accompanied by enhanced surveillance of infectious diseases. In some cases it is extension of existing systems in other almost completely new systems are designed. Some of them include syndromic surveillance pointed to symptoms and syndromes which may be related to bioterrorist attacks. Such an approach is partially inspired by continuously present bioterrorist threat, but also by conviction that mass gatherings bring extra risk for infectious diseases beyond increase related to the number of participants. It is believed that such factors like close proximity of participants, large numbers of food vendors and presence of drug dealers and sex workers increase probability of increased incidence of infectious diseases at mass gatherings. In some mass gatherings especially those lasting more then one day and lacking proper sanitary supervision of food preparation and of water sources such increased incidence takes place. But in the most of large international sport events no increase of incidence was observed. Enhanced surveillance plays important role as an element of integrated sanitary and hygienic preparations to the events. It is also crucial tool for evaluation of the quality of those preparations. Oncoming soccer games Euro 2012 make this a problem of particular interest.