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Guinness F, Corcoran A, O'Grady MJ, Finnegan J. Craic, Ceoil agus COVID-19: the impact of 'Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann' on presentations to the local emergency department. Ir J Med Sci 2024:10.1007/s11845-024-03786-3. [PMID: 39210045 DOI: 10.1007/s11845-024-03786-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 08/13/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
AIMS Fleadh Cheoil Na hÉireann, the world's largest Irish music festival, was held in Mullingar in August 2023, gathering a crowd of nearly 600,000 people. Our aim was to assess the impact on presentations to the local emergency department (ED). METHODS We performed a retrospective case analysis on all presentations to the ED at Regional Hospital Mullingar (RHM) from 23/7/2023 to 02/09/2023. We also collected data on COVID-19 swab results processed in our laboratory. RESULTS There was a 10% increase in ED attendances during the 2 weeks of the Fleadh. There was a statistically significant increase in COVID-19 presentations when compared to national positivity rates. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION Our study shows that the Fleadh led to an increase in all-cause ED visits as well as an increase in COVID-19 cases. Our study plays an important role in informing health service preparation for future host towns of the Fleadh.
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Chandran D, Chakraborty S, Chandran D, Subedi D, Jisha AI, Chopra H, Rabaan AA, Al-Tawfiq JA, Islam MR, Dhama K. Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Could be a Priority Pathogen to Cause Public Health Emergency: Noticeable Features and Counteractive Measures. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH INSIGHTS 2024; 18:11786302241271545. [PMID: 39156879 PMCID: PMC11329908 DOI: 10.1177/11786302241271545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 08/20/2024]
Abstract
Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) is caused by a specific strain of the 6 types of human coronaviruses (HCoV). MERS-CoV has spread unchecked since it was first discovered in Saudi Arabia in 2012. The virus most likely spreads through nosocomial and zoonotic channels. Genetic analyses suggest that bats were the initial hosts and that the disease spread to camels. Person-to-person transmission occurs with varying frequency, being most prevalent in clinical settings and the least common among the general population and among close relatives. Due to the severity of the illness, high fatality rate, potential for epidemic spread, and lack of adequate medical countermeasures, the World Health Organization (WHO) continues to list MERS-CoV as a priority pathogen. While no specific antiviral medicines exist, a combination of antivirals has shown promise in recent clinical trials. Vaccines against MERS-CoV are critically needed and are currently being developed. Early diagnosis and implementing appropriate infection control measures are keys to preventing hospital-associated outbreaks. Preventive measures include avoiding raw or undercooked meats and other animal products, ensuring proper hand hygiene in healthcare settings and around dromedaries, educating the public and healthcare personnel about the disease, and adhering to other recommended practices. Countries with a high prevalence of MERS should adhere to regulations designed to limit the transmission of the virus. The recent spread of MERS-CoV highlights the importance of public awareness regarding the significance of reporting symptoms so that appropriate control measures can be adopted. The narrative review discusses the incidence of MERS, its clinical presentation, potential transmission routes, recent reports, preventative and control measures, and current therapeutic options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deepak Chandran
- Department of Animal Husbandry, Government of Kerala, Kerala, India
| | - Sandip Chakraborty
- State Disease Investigation Laboratory, ARDD, Abhoynagar, Agartala, West Tripura, India
| | - Diljith Chandran
- KVG Dental College & Hospital, Kurunjibhag, Sullia, Karnataka, India
| | - Deepak Subedi
- Department of Poultry Science, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - Ankitha Indu Jisha
- Amrita School of Agricultural Sciences, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Hitesh Chopra
- Department of Biosciences, Saveetha School of Engineering, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Ali A Rabaan
- Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory, Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia
- College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Public Health and Nutrition, The University of Haripur, Haripur, Pakistan
| | - Jaffar A Al-Tawfiq
- Specialty Internal Medicine and Quality Patient Safety Department, Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia
- Infectious Diseases Division, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
- Infectious Diseases Division, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Md. Rabiul Islam
- School of Pharmacy, BRAC University, Merul Badda, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Kuldeep Dhama
- Division of Pathology, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Bareilly, Izatnagar, Uttar Pradesh, India
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Luo L, Sun G, Guo E, Xu H, Wang Z. Impact of COVID-19 on football attacking players' match technical performance: a longitudinal study. Sci Rep 2024; 14:6057. [PMID: 38480764 PMCID: PMC10937722 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-56678-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Abstract
This study examined the impact of COVID-19 on 28 indicators of match technical performance (MTP) for football attacking players upon their return to play. Analyzing data from 100 players in the Big Five European football leagues, covering 1500 matches each before and after COVID-19 over 3 years (2020-2023), revealed significant differences in 76% of players' MTP indicators. Notably, 14 indicators, particularly the five indicators linked to scoring, significantly decreased post-COVID-19. On average, players needed 3.09 matches to regain pre-infection MTP levels. The impact varied across player groups, with those in the elite group showing a milder effect; they required an average of 2.64 matches for recovery, compared to the control group's 3.55 matches. We found that, with increasing age, the majority of players' MTP indicators did not exhibit significant changes, both before and after they contracted COVID-19. In conclusion, the study highlighted the negative impact of COVID-19 on football attacking players' MTP. Players in the elite group experienced fewer adverse effects than those in the control group. This insight assisted coaches and managers in evaluating the impact of COVID-19 and similar virus-induced illnesses on players' MTP, enabling them to formulate training regimens for recovery and specific match tactics upon players' return to play.
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Affiliation(s)
- Le Luo
- College of Humanities and Law, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Ge Sun
- College of Humanities and Law, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Enkai Guo
- College of Physical Education, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Hanbing Xu
- College of P. E and Sports, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhaohong Wang
- College of P. E and Sports, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China.
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Khan NA, El-Menyar A, Asim M, Abdurahiman S, Al Musleh AA, Al-Thani H. Academic and healthcare efforts from Cessation to complete resumption of professional football tournaments during COVID-19 pandemic: A narrative review. Heliyon 2023; 9:e22519. [PMID: 38046158 PMCID: PMC10686895 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e22519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus led to over 626 million infections and 6.5 million deaths worldwide and forced to cancel or postpone several sporting events. Effective control techniques are therefore urgently required to avoid COVID-19 spread at these local and global events. This narrative review addressed the healthcare and research efforts on the intersections between COVID-19 and major professional sports leagues worldwide, with special reference to the FIFA World Cup football 2022. This explained how the broader transformation of COVID-19 from being a potential risk to an urgent pandemic public health emergency, caused the world of Football to halt between February and March 2020. This review could add to the growing literature on the importance of scientific research in understanding the relationship between mass sports events and COVID-19 trajectory, concerning studies conducted globally and particularly for the recommencement of major professional football competitions. The information outlined in the article may help sports organizations understand the risks associated with sports and their settings and improve their preparedness for future events under unprecedented circumstances. There were tremendous global healthcare and research efforts to deal with this unprecedented pandemic. The successful FIFA World Cup football tournament was an indicator of the success of these efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naushad Ahmad Khan
- Department of Surgery, Trauma &Vascular Surgery, Clinical Research, Hamad General Hospital, Doha, Qatar
| | - Ayman El-Menyar
- Department of Surgery, Trauma &Vascular Surgery, Clinical Research, Hamad General Hospital, Doha, Qatar
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, Doha, Qatar
| | - Mohammad Asim
- Department of Surgery, Trauma &Vascular Surgery, Clinical Research, Hamad General Hospital, Doha, Qatar
| | - Sameer Abdurahiman
- Clinical Information Systems (CIS), Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | | | - Hassan Al-Thani
- Department of Surgery, Trauma and Vascular Surgery, Hamad General Hospital, Doha, Qatar
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Zacher J, Branahl A, Predel HG, Laborde S. Effects of Covid-19 on the autonomic nervous system in elite athletes assessed by heart rate variability. SPORT SCIENCES FOR HEALTH 2023:1-12. [PMID: 37360977 PMCID: PMC10191822 DOI: 10.1007/s11332-023-01067-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
Introduction Covid-19 is a viral airway and systemic infection which can negatively affect the function of the autonomic nervous system. Cardiovascular autonomic function is essential for peak athletic performance. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of a Covid-19 disease on the autonomic nervous system of German elite athletes using heart rate variability (HRV). Methods 60 elite athletes (aged 22.88 ± 4.71 years) were recruited, 30 of whom had undergone a Covid-19 disease. Heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP) and heart rate variability (HRV) were measured during rest and during an orthostatic challenge. Results At rest and after orthostatic stress blood pressure and the root mean square of successive differences (RMSDD) were significantly lower in Covid-19 athletes (COV) than in control athletes (CON) (p = 0.002 and p = 0.004, respectively); heart rate was significantly higher (p = 0.001). COV showed a significantly greater reduction in blood pressure and elevation of heart rate than CON, but the change in RMSSD did not differ significantly during the orthostatic challenge. Conclusion These results show a change in cardiac parasympathetic activity and cardiovascular autonomic function in German elite athletes after Covid-19. These findings further the understanding of effects of the Covid-19 disease on the cardiovascular physiology in athletes. Heart rate variability may be a helpful tool in the return-to-play assessment of elite athletes. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11332-023-01067-7.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas Zacher
- Institute of Cardiology and Sports Medicine, German Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Aike Branahl
- Institute of Cardiology and Sports Medicine, German Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Hans-Georg Predel
- Institute of Cardiology and Sports Medicine, German Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Sylvain Laborde
- Institute of Psychology, German Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- Normandie Université, EA 4260, UFR STAPS, Caen, France
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