Public health perspectives from the biggest human mass gathering on earth: Kumbh Mela, India. (June 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: David, Siddarth; Roy, Nobhojit
• Is Part Of: International journal of infectious diseases. Volume 47(2016:Jun.)
• Page Start: 42
• Page End: 45
• Publication Date: 2016-06
• Subjects: Mass gathering -- Kumbh Mela -- India -- Public health; Communicable diseases -- Periodicals; Communicable Diseases -- Periodicals; Communicable diseases; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.9
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2016.01.010
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1201-9712

Abstract

Highlights: The Kumbh Mela, held every 3 years in India, has nearly 100 million visitors making it the world's largest human congregation, with colossal logistical and health challenges. There is little documentation or research on the Kumbh, which could help increase our understanding of the health challenges faced in organizing such massive events. In order to develop a unified approach to better manage the public health needs during mass gatherings, it is imperative to conduct academic research on different mass-gathering events like the Kumbh. Creating a multi-disciplinary international consortium that can share data, engage in research, and develop guidelines is the way forward in mass gathering health. Summary: Mass gathering events pose critical health challenges, especially for the control of diseases. The rising population, better connectivity, and scope of travel have increased the frequency and magnitude of mass gatherings and underscore the need to shift the discourse from reacting to the public health issues they throw up to taking active steps in preventing them based on evidence through research. The Kumbh Mela is a religious event in India that constitutes the largest number of people gathered at a specific place and at a specific time. It is older than the Hajj by centuries, yet the public health aspects related to this event, which is held every 3 years, have not been fully studied. Understanding the Kumbh Mela can highlight the health challenges faced and provide crucial lessons for the management of mass gatherings. This investigation used the Kumbh Mela in the city of Allahabad as a case study to describe the health problems and the efforts taken to manage them. In-depth studies of the Kumbh Mela in the future are required to generate evidence for context-specific measures to address the complex health challenges of mass gatherings.