IMMIGRATION : OVERPOPULATION AND RISKS OF DISEASES IN MIGRANT CENTRES.

• Position: Brief article

There are no major outbreaks of infectious diseases in the camps of Libyan refugees at the borders with Egypt and Tunisia, but the living conditions of migrants in reception and detention centres in Italy, Malta and Greece are cause for concern. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC - Stockholm) identifies the concerns in a report, published on 12 April.

The EU agency states that overpopulation is one of the major risk factors for infectious disease outbreaks. The diseases most likely to occur include measles, diphtheria, flu, pertussis and acute respiratory infections. Poor sanitary conditions also increase the risk of diarrhoeal diseases.

The ECDC lists the public health measures that should be taken to mitigate these risks: a surveillance system for early warning purposes, including health assessment upon entry of migrants; dedicated mother-and-child care facilities and provision...