Infectious diseases in refugees coming from Syria and Iraq to Lebanon

Abstract

During the last 3 years, roughly 600.000 Syrian refugees and 300.000 Iraqi refugees have been registered in Lebanon, and 400.000 and 250.000, respectively in Turkey as reported by United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Here we report spectrum of infectious diseases (IDs) observed among Iraqui and Syrian refugees in SEU refugee camp. UNHCR camp in Beirut serves for 2 generations of refugees since 1990 and St. Charles Foucauld Health Centre treats patients in this camp, with 30-50 cases per day, both adults and children. In addition, mobile clinic operates to those families living in Beirut suburbs or outside the camp, with average of 8,5 visits daily. The prevalence of different non-communicable and infectious diseases was assessed in St. Charles Foucauld Health Centre from 2000 - 2013. Altogether, 28.343 patients, both refugees and migrants, have been reported in 2009 - 2013. More than 92% of them were Iraqi and Syrian asylum seekers. Among adults, hypertension, diabetes and coronary and/or vascular cerebral disease were predominant. IDs in adult represented only 28,5%, majority of them were respiratory tract infections (RTI), followed by skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI). Among children, the situation was more difficult - up to 90% of all paediatric patients presented with ID. Of these, 21,2% had gastrointestinal infections and 19,1% had SSTI (streptococcal, scabies, lice and other). Sporadic cases of measles were seen in 20012/2013. War conflicts in Middle East represent a major health issue in neighbouring countries, especially in Lebanon, Jordan and Turkey with respect to Syria war. Infrastructure of these countries is not prepared to serve for increasing number of IDs patients despite the efforts of UNHCR and non-governmental institutions.