Olympics may have “serious implications to health”
Released 16/01/2012
The London 2012 Olympics could lead to a surge in disease and other problems leading to an increased demand for primary care, health experts have warned
The theory suggests that lots of people, packed closely together, can significantly increase the risk of disease spreading
Mass gatherings, such as the London 2012 Olympics, can lead to a hotbed of disease from across the world, health experts have warned.
A series of reports in The Lancet Infectious Disease journal points out the risks that can apprise from mass gatherings such as the Olympics in London, causing “potentially serious implications to health”.
The theory suggests that lots of people, packed closely together, can significantly increase the risk of disease spreading.
Prof Ibrahim Abubakar from the University of East Anglia suggests that the risk also increases with diseases already prevalent in the home country and also from visitors travelling from abroad.
The result could be a significant increase in the amount of patients needing access to primary care throughout the Olympic Games this summer.
Prof Brian McCloskey, the individual in charge of the Health Protection Agency's preparations for London 2012, told the BBC: "The history of the Olympic Games suggests infection doesn't happen often.
"The issue for us is to make sure the right system is in place to respond,” he said.
The Olympic committee is expecting attendees form over 205 nations throughout the games.
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