Epidemiological and clinical features of COVID-19 patients in Saudi Arabia.

Background: The aim of this study is to describe the clinical and demographic characteristics of COVID-19 patients, and the risk factors associated with death in Saudi Arabia to serve as a reference to further understand this pandemic and to help in the future decisions and control of this global crisis.

Methods: This multicenter, retrospective, observational, cross-sectional study was conducted on 240,474 patients with confirmed COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia. Data was collected retrospectively through the Health Electronic Surveillance Network at the Ministry of Health.

Guidance for Health Risk Assessment at Recurrent Mass Gatherings: The Jeddah Tool Framework.

A wide range of natural and man-made hazards increases the health risks at mass gatherings (MGs). Building on the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, the World Health Organization (WHO) developed the Health Emergency and Disaster Risk Management (H-EDRM) framework to strengthen preparedness, response, and recovery from health emergencies in the communities and emergency-prone settings, such as MGs. The Jeddah tool is derived from the H-EDRM framework as an all-hazard MG risk assessment tool, which provides a benchmark for monitoring progress made in capacity strengthening over a given period for recurrent MGs.

Implementing the Health Early Warning System based on syndromic and event-based surveillance at the 2019 Hajj.

Background: During the 2019 Hajj, the Ministry of Health in Saudi Arabia implemented for the first time a health early warning system for rapid detection and response to health threats.

Aims: This study aimed to describe the early warning findings at the Hajj to highlight the pattern of health risks and the potential benefits of the disease surveillance system.

Methods: Using syndromic surveillance and event-based surveillance data, the health early warning system generated automated alarms for public health events, triggered alerts for rapid epidemiological investigations and facilitated the monitoring of health events.

Health risk assessment at mass gatherings: a report of the camel festival in Saudi Arabia.

Background: The King Abdel Aziz Camel Festival in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, aims to showcase the socio-cultural and economic roles of camels in the Middle East, and attracts visitors from many countries in the Region.

Aims: Potentially, the gathering of large numbers of people and animals within a specified geographical area during the annual festival has important implications for public safety, health security and legacy. Thus, the Ministry of Health through the Global Center for Mass Gathering Medicine, Saudi Arabia, conducted a health risk assessment for the 2017 Camel Festival.

Technical complications of continuous intra-arterial chemotherapy with 5-fluorodeoxyuridine and 5-fluorouracil for colorectal liver metastases.

Background: Intra-arterial chemotherapy is an effective modality to treat unresectable hepatic metastases from colorectal primaries if systemic chemotherapy has failed. Response rates of more than 40% and a median survival of 15 to 25 months have been reported from randomized trials. In this retrospective study, we analyzed specific technical complications associated with continuous intra-arterial chemotherapy for colorectal liver metastases.