Annual Celebration of Gwaza Muthine battle in Mozambique: mass gathering surveillance
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by
AFENET
Every year on February 2nd, the district of Marracuene in Maputo Province commemorates the historic battle known as Gwaza Muthine. This significant event draws thousands of attendees and serves as a tribute to the Mozambican heroes who lost their lives during the confrontation between Portuguese forces and the local resistance of the Ronga Tribe, amidst the struggle against colonial occupation in southern Mozambique.
The celebration culminated in the 18th edition of the Marrabenta Cultural Festival, showcasing traditional dance from southern Mozambique, alongside a vibrant food fair that highlights local cuisine.
To ensure public health safety during this large gathering, the Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP) of Mozambique and the Health Surveillance Department of the National Health Institute (INS) implemented comprehensive epidemiological surveillance at the event site. Their goal was to prevent, monitor, and control potential health risks associated with such a significant public gathering.
Data collection tools were developed using ODK software to facilitate online data gathering, allowing for systematic organization of information collected during the event. The data focused on various aspects including sanitary conditions before and during the festivities, waste management practices, hygiene standards in public restrooms, kitchens, and at food stalls within the gastronomic fair. This thorough assessment aimed to identify any possible health risks for participants.
The hygiene and safety conditions were evaluated across 33 food establishments; notably, 81.8% (27 out of 33) were structures opened as temporary establishments.
Additionally, FETP and surveillance teams closely monitored all health-related incidents affecting attendees. A total of 43 patients received care; among them, 81.4% (35/43) presented with physical injuries while 18.6% (8/43) reported general illnesses such as malaria and asthma.
In response to suspected cases of waterborne and foodborne diseases—specifically gastroenteritis—investigations were promptly conducted to ensure that appropriate measures were implemented to prevent potential outbreak. In conclusion, there were no recorded outbreaks of certain diseases, especially those transmitted by water and food. Despite this record, there were challenges regarding public safety and the hygiene conditions of food establishments.
