FIFA 2022: Gastro alarm at football fans in Qatar - who made sick?
FIFA 2022: Gastro alarm at football fans in Qatar - who made sick?
Research aimed to examine the spread of food-related diseases during large events such as the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Such events attract crowds from all over the world, which increases the likelihood that diseases are spread by contaminated foods or other sources. The study analyzed which pathogens were identified in the tests and which symptoms had the people concerned.
Although many people visited the event, the actual risk of being infected with a pathogen was classified as relatively low. Biological samples were collected by those who show symptoms such as acute diarrhea or gastrointestinal inflammation, abdominal pain, fever or for reasons of preventive examination.
future effects: These research results suggest that the transfer of diseases could be better monitored and preventive measures could be increased when organizing large international events. In particular, the frequent cases of bacterial infections indicate that improved hygiene controls and stricter food surveillance practices should be introduced during such events.
Furthermore, the use of fast test procedures such as the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) could be promoted if food-related outbursts are suspected in order to be able to react faster to possible health threats.
Basic terms and concepts
- microscopy and culture: These are techniques for the identification of pathogens in stool samples. With the help of a microscope, OVA (eggs of parasites) and other signs of infections can be discovered.
- polymerase chain reaction (PCR): A quick test procedure for the detection of genetic material from pathogens such as viruses or bacteria that can help to diagnose infections quickly.
- acute diarrhea/gastroenteritis: faster and severe attack of diarrhea, often accompanied by stomach complaints and vomiting, usually caused by infections.
- food -related diseases: diseases caused by the consumption of contaminated foods or drinks.
abbreviations
- fifa: fédération Internationale de Football Association.
- pcr: polymerase chain reaction.
Date of the publication of research: March 2025
Examination of the gastrointestinal infections during the FIFA World Cup 2022
The aim of the study was to identify the incidents and pathogens of gastrointestinal diseases among visitors to the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar. These major events are an increased risk of the transfer of food -related diseases.
methodology
The investigation was carried out in the Hamad Medical Corporation, the national reference laboratory for microbiology research in Qatar. Between October 1 and December 31, 2022, faecal samples from the participants were analyzed. The samples were tested microscopically for OVA and parasites as well as cultures. If food-related outbursts or if necessary, the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used for the public health reaction.
results
of the 2179 rehearsals analyzed were identified in 424 cases one or more pathogens. The most common reasons for the testing were:
- acute diarrhea/gastroenteritis (51.4%)
- abdominal pain (11.5%)
- screening/monitoring of contacts (10.6%)
- fever (7.6%)
The distribution of the identified pathogens was as follows:
- bacteria in 92.5% of the positive cases
- viruses in 7.8%
- parasites in 2.8%
conclusions
The number of people tested on faecal samples during FIFA 2022 was relatively low. A positive yield of the tests was mainly achieved in patients with acute diarrhea/gastroenteritis and fever, but not in those with abdominal pain or for screening/monitoring.
More details on this research are available at: https://pubmed.nlm.nih.gov/39717864 .