FIFA 2022: Gastro alarm among football fans in Qatar - who made you sick?

FIFA 2022: Gastro alarm among football fans in Qatar - who made you sick?

The research aimed to examine the spread of foodborne illnesses during major events such as the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Such events draw crowds from around the world, increasing the likelihood of disease being spread through contaminated food or other sources. The study analyzed which pathogens were identified during the tests and what symptoms the affected people had.

Although many people attended the event, the actual risk of becoming infected with a pathogen was considered relatively low. Biological samples were collected from those who presented symptoms such as acute diarrhea or gastrointestinal inflammation, abdominal pain, fever, or for preventive examination reasons.

Future Impact:This research suggests that disease transmission could be better monitored and preventive measures 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 implemented during such events.

Furthermore, the use of rapid testing methods such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in suspected food-borne outbreaks could be promoted in order to respond more quickly to possible health threats.

Basic terms and concepts

• Mikroskopie und Kultur: Dies sind Techniken zur Identifizierung von Krankheitserregern in Stuhlproben. Mithilfe eines Mikroskops können Ova (Eier von Parasiten) und andere Anzeichen von Infektionen entdeckt werden.
• Polymerase-Kettenreaktion (PCR): Ein schnelles Testverfahren zur Erkennung genetischen Materials von Erregern wie Viren oder Bakterien, das helfen kann, Infektionen schnell zu diagnostizieren.
• Akute Diarrhö/Gastroenteritis: Schneller und schwerer Anfall von Durchfall, oft begleitet von Magenbeschwerden und Erbrechen, üblicherweise durch Infektionen verursacht.
• Lebensmittelbedingte Krankheiten: Krankheiten, die durch den Verzehr kontaminierter Lebensmittel oder Getränke verursacht werden.

Abbreviations

• FIFA: Fédération Internationale de Football Association.
• PCR: Polymerase-Kettenreaktion.

Research publication date: March 2025

Investigation of gastrointestinal infections during the FIFA World Cup 2022

The aim of the study was to identify the incidences and pathogens of gastrointestinal diseases among visitors to the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. These large events pose an increased risk for the transmission of foodborne illnesses.

methodology

The study was conducted at Hamad Medical Corporation, the national reference laboratory for microbiology research in Qatar. Fecal samples from participants were analyzed between October 1 and December 31, 2022. Samples were tested microscopically for ova and parasites and by culture. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used when foodborne outbreaks were suspected or when rapid results were needed for public health response.

Results

Of the 2179 samples analyzed, one or more pathogens were identified in 424 cases. The most common reasons for testing were:

• Akute Diarrhö/Gastroenteritis (51.4%)
• Abdominale Schmerzen (11.5%)
• Screening/Überwachung von Kontakten (10.6%)
• Fieber (7.6%)

The distribution of the identified pathogens was as follows:

• Bakterien in 92.5% der positiven Fälle
• Viren in 7.8%
• Parasiten in 2.8%

Conclusions

The number of people tested for fecal samples during FIFA 2022 was relatively low. Positive testing results were obtained primarily in patients with acute diarrhea/gastroenteritis and fever, but not in those with abdominal pain or for screening/surveillance.

Further details on this research are available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39717864.