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Cost-effective Method for Microbial Source Tracking Using Specific Human and Animal Viruses
Published on: December 3, 2011
Imported infectious diseases in mobile populations, Spain
Begoña Monge-Maillo1, B Carolina Jiménez, José A Pérez-Molina
1Ramón y Cajal Hospital, Madrid 28034, Spain.
Emerging Infectious Diseases
|November 7, 2009
Summary
Infectious diseases like latent tuberculosis and filariasis are common in immigrant groups in Spain. Health screenings are crucial for early detection and treatment of these transmissible infections.
Area of Science:
- Tropical Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Migration is linked to the emergence and spread of infectious diseases.
- Understanding disease prevalence in mobile populations is essential for public health.
- Specific immigrant groups may have unique health profiles due to their origin and migration patterns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify the most common infectious diseases among sub-Saharan African and Latin American immigrants in Spain.
- To analyze health and demographic data of immigrant patients over a 20-year period.
- To inform public health strategies for managing infectious diseases in immigrant populations.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of health and demographic data.
- Inclusion of 2,198 immigrants referred to a Tropical Medicine Unit over 20 years.
- Focus on diagnoses for latent tuberculosis, filariasis, chronic hepatotropic virus infection, intestinal parasites, and malaria.
Main Results:
- Latent tuberculosis was the most frequent diagnosis (32.6%).
- Filariasis and chronic hepatotropic virus infections were also highly prevalent (19.2% each).
- Intestinal parasites (11.0%) and malaria (9.6%) were other significant findings.
Conclusions:
- Health screening of immigrant populations is vital for early diagnosis.
- Prompt treatment of infectious diseases in immigrants prevents further transmission.
- Targeted screening can mitigate the public health impact of migration-related diseases.
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