IT-based health event surveillance in mass gathering - Kumbh Mela 2021, Haridwar, Uttarakhand

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Original Article

Author Details : Pankaj Kumar Singh*, Akhilesh Tripathi, Rajeev Sharma, Meera Dhuria

Volume : 10, Issue : 2, Year : 2024

Article Page : 74-78

https://doi.org/10.18231/j.jpmhh.2024.017

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Abstract

The Kumbh Mela is a large religious mass gathering event organised in India. During April 01 to April 30, 2021, Kumbh Mela was organized in Haridwar, Uttarakhand, India in the amid of COVID-19 pandemic. To detect and respond to unusual health events, a special surveillance model was established during Kumbh Mela-2021, Haridwar. The Kumbh module of Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP) is utilized for real time data capturing. An Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) established to monitor COVID-19 and other disease situations through IHIP. Capacity building of Rapid Response Teams (RRT) was conducted. The special surveillance monitored 24 diseases/ syndromes. Kumbh mela area was divided into 4 zones with total 75 health facilities. A total of 31021 cases were reported on IHIP, including 86% communicable diseases (CDs), 8% non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and 6% unusual syndrome. Among total CDs, 27% acute febrile illness (AFI), 25.3% acute respiratory illness (ARI), 19% water borne diseases (WBDs), 15% COVID-19 and 14% others encountered. Out of total NCDs, 67% trauma, 25% dog bite, 8% others. A total of 36 early warning signals generated and responded, of which 22% WBDs, 22% ARI, 17% COVID-19, 14% AFI, 11% unusual syndrome and 14% others. The special disease surveillance helped monitoring health event alerts and health condition alerts. EOC monitored early warning signals and facilitated early detection and quick response to public health threats. Acute febrile illnesses emerged as a leading cause of morbidity. Future Mass Gathering events like Kumbh Mela should include disease surveillance as part of planning and augment capacity to diagnose and management of acute febrile illness.

Keywords: Rapid Response Teams (RRT), Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP), Communicable diseases (CDs)

How to cite : Singh P K, Tripathi A, Sharma R, Dhuria M, IT-based health event surveillance in mass gathering - Kumbh Mela 2021, Haridwar, Uttarakhand. J Prev Med Holist Health 2024;10(2):74-78

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