Analysis of presentations to on-site medical units during World Youth Day 2008.

World Youth Day 2008 was held in Sydney, Australia in July 2008. New South Wales (NSW) Health, the government health provider in Australia's most populous state, worked with partner agencies to provide medical services via on-site medical units at key event venues. A post-event review of medical records from the on-site medical units indicated 465 patient presentations, comprised largely of infectious respiratory symptoms and general health concerns of a primary care nature.

Lessons from the NSW laboratory response to pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza.

Procedures undertaken by NSW Health in the laboratory response to pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza were reviewed to assist planning for a future infectious disease emergency. Laboratory plans developed prior to the pandemic sought rapid detection of pandemic virus in the early phases of the pandemic response until demonstration of widespread community transmission, followed then by limited testing when indicated clinically. As planned, the laboratory response was based on the Pandemic Influenza Management System with a web-based outbreak management tool, NetEpi, as the single public health database used for cases and test results.

Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza vaccine roll-out in NSW.

The roll-out of the pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza vaccine in NSW was significantly different to that envisaged for a pandemic vaccination program. Pre-pandemic planning had focused on the urgent roll-out of a vaccine through mass vaccination clinics in a time of high demand due to a virulent influenza virus. Instead the situation was less urgent, with the vaccine available only after the peak of incidence of infections in NSW.

Should cities hosting mass gatherings invest in public health surveillance and planning? Reflections from a decade of mass gatherings in Sydney, Australia.

Background: Mass gatherings have been defined by the World Health Organisation as "events attended by a sufficient number of people to strain the planning and response resources of a community, state or nation". This paper explores the public health response to mass gatherings in Sydney, the factors that influenced the extent of deployment of resources and the utility of planning for mass gatherings as a preparedness exercise for other health emergencies.

Discussion: Not all mass gatherings of people require enhanced surveillance and additional response.

Blessings in disguise: public health emergency preparedness for World Youth Day 2008.

Mass gatherings, such as World Youth Day (WYD) 2008 in Sydney, provide an opportunity for public health workers to gain emergency management experience. Communicable disease (mainly influenza) among pilgrims was the major public health issue during WYD. Public health workers also identified environmental health issues, resulting in hazard reduction measures being made to reduce falls.