The potential health impact needs to
be monitored for both routine and
uncommon health situations but one of
the most significant for public health authorities
is the increased potential for an influenza or
gastroenteritis outbreak through diseases that
are caused by organisms which are transmissible
from one person to another.
Infectious outbreaks associated with mass-gatherings
include transmission most commonly
between person to person, however airborne
and droplet spread can be common too (WHO
2015). Infectious diseases of major concern
usually include airborne disease such as Pertussis
(Whooping Cough) and Influenza, diarrhoea and
food borne disease such as Salmonella.
While the potential for outbreak increases, there
are still some simple things individuals can do to
keep healthy.
First and foremost, the fundamental ways to
deal with infectious disease is prevention; by
washing your hands and being vaccinated.
Vaccination is your first line of defence - you
can think of it like a coat of invisible armour.
In particular people should consider being up
to date with their Pertussis (Whooping cough)
and Influenza vaccines; these readily available
vaccines will provide good protection from the
unknown respiratory bugs you can so easily
breathe in.
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