Preventing vector-borne diseases at major sport events: Addressing the challenges for fifa 22 in Qatar

Abstract

The 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar has necessary requirements for the prevention and preparedness for any potential disease transmission, including vector-borne diseases (VBDs). Hence, we examined the current status of vectors and VBDs of public health importance in Qatar, based on a systematic literature review that complemented a vector control situation and needs assessment performed in November 2017 [1]. The literature reveals that there are no records of locally acquired VBD cases in Qatar, but cases were documented among expatriate workers and travellers who returned from an endemic country. Data on VBD cases remain scarce except for malaria, with a high number of imported cases reported during the last 2 decades (Fig 1) [2]. The presence of native arthropod vectors has not been widely documented to date, with only 30 vector species, including 20 mosquitoes, 2 fleas, 1 louse, 1 fly, and 6 ticks on record. Although no sand flies are described in Qatar, we found reports of locally acquiredLeishmania infections [3]. This, together with the high numbers of sand fly and other vector species that are reported in neighbouring countries with similar environmental conditions [4], suggests that Qatar may experience more species. Overall, Qatar has some capacities with regard to vector control, but no national plan currently exists, and vector surveillance is still in its infancy. In Qatar, some structural changes are risk factors to facilitate VBD upsurge and transmission, i.e., (1) a rise in the number of pathogen introduction events in response to a rapid increase of Qatari population (×3.8 over 15 years) due to high number of migrants that represent more than 75% of the population together with a considerable influx of tourists’ (×7.5 over 14 years) [5]; (2) the high proportion (more than 99%) and increase of urban population (×4.7 over 15 years) [5], providing ideal conditions that increase the likelihood of VBD local transmissions [6]; and (3) the booming of freight air transport (×24.6 over 14 years), port traffic (+29% over 14 years), and merchandise import (×10.6 over 14 years) [5], which increases the risk of introduction of vectors, pathogen infected or not [7]. There is a clear need for capacity building in epidemiology and vector entomology, as well as on the organisational level, to mitigate and improve the VBD risk assessment and management. It is essential to define sustainable solutions for VBD control, management, and prevention, and a number of recommendations are suggested (Box 1) to prevent VBD outbreaks during the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar or any other major local sport event.