[Public health problems in relation to refugees]

In Hessen, obligatory health examination of refugees includes the following: Clinical examination, faecal bacteriological examination for salmonella and shigella, chest x-ray of persons aged 3 years and older, lues- and hepatitis B serology in case of persons of 16 years of age and older. The results obtained with 3453 refugees were analysed: There were remarkable differences according to country of origin. In connection with Public Health, only two diseases are important: tuberculosis and lues. Early diagnosis and immediate treatment minimise the risks. Faeco-orally transmitted diseases (for instance, salmonella infections) are no longer of any importance.