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Religious pilgrimage and COVID-19. An observational report in Italy from contact tracing activities: Emanuela Maria Frisicale

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...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores principales: Ferraro, F, Frisicale, EM, Rapiti, A, Marotta, C, Bonfigli, S, Angeloni, U, Maraglino, F, Rezza, G
Formato: Online Artículo Texto
Lenguaje:English
Publicado: Oxford University Press 2022
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9594700/
http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckac131.084
Descripción
Sumario: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.