Mass gatherings, such as sporting events and festivals, create ideal conditions for
human-to-human transmission of a range of infectious diseases, which can rapidly spread
globally due to ease of travel.1 In Qatar two mass gathering events are being held
simultaneously, the FIFA World Cup 2022 championship2 and the Camel Mzayen Club s
camel beauty pageant festival.3 These have attracted hundreds of thousands of people
from within the Middle East and across the world. Many are attending both events,
interacting closely with each other and with camels, creating ideal conditions for
the transmission of camel-associated zoonotic pathogens with epidemic potential.
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