30.03.2016Publication: Infectious disease profile of Syrian refugees arriving in Europe

In a new, expedited Eurosurveillance publication, Prof. Patricia Schlagenhauf and GeoSentinel colleagues published a paper describing the infectious disease profile
of Syrian refugees arriving in Europe. Screening of 488 Syrian unaccompanied minor refugees (< 18 years-old) showed low prevalence of intestinal parasites (Giardia, 7%), positive schistosomiasis serology (1.4%) and absence of hepatitis B.
Among 44 ill adult Syrian refugees examined at GeoSentinel clinics worldwide, cutaneous leishmaniasis affected one in three patients; other noteworthy infections were active tuberculosis (11%) and chronic hepatitis B or C (9%). These data can contribute to evidence-based guidelines for infectious disease screening of Syrian refugees and are of public health importance.

Eurosurveillance, Volume 21, Issue 10, 10 March 2016
Profile of illness in Syrian refugees: A GeoSentinel analysis, 2013 to 2015