Summary: Mass gatherings, which can be defined as events exceeding 1,000 participants in a specific location for a defined purpose and duration, pose heightened public health risks. These risks stem from high participant density, increased interpersonal contact, and the presence of attendees from diverse regions. Temporary accommodations and food services contribute to the risk of disease transmission, while alcohol and other drug consumption can lead to risk behaviors. Given Portugal’s suitability for such events due to climate, tourism, and cultural factors, establishing a technical norm is crucial to ensure safety and preparedness. The draft technical norm emphasizes the need for a formal registration, mandating the designation of a health focal point by event organizers. Events can be classified into risk levels (low, medium, high, extreme) based on type, participant numbers, duration, and proximity to medical facilities. The classification determines the required health resources and response measures. For low-risk events, basic life support teams and defibrillators are necessary, while high- and extreme-risk events require advanced life support and medical centers, with pre approval timelines ranging from 15 to 120 days. Key health provisions should include pre-event planning, epidemiological surveillance, health promotion, and harm reduction strategies. Contingency plans should address food and water safety, environmental concerns, emergency exits, crowd control, and crisis scenarios. Surveillance systems must ensure data collection and daily reporting to health authorities, facilitating coordinated responses. Special considerations include managing high risk factors, such as rival groups or substance use, and providing health services (including access to water and sun protection, for instance) during long wait times or setup phases. This norm proposal integrates health system readiness with real-time monitoring and cross-agency collaboration, underscoring the importance of comprehensive planning to mitigate health risks while supporting the success and safety of mass gatherings.
Mexia et al. (Sun,) studied this question.