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Infectious disease risks among refugees from North Korea
Hiroshi Nishiura1, Hyojung Lee1, Baoyin Yuan1
1Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Kita 15 Jo Nishi 7 Chome, Kita-ku, Sapporo-shi, Hokkaido 060-8638, Japan; CREST, Japan Science and Technology Agency, Honcho 4-1-8, Kawaguchi, Saitama 332-0012, Japan.
Summary
North Korean refugees face significant infectious disease risks, primarily tuberculosis and viral hepatitis. Plasmodium vivax malaria is also a notable concern requiring differential diagnosis consideration.
Area of Science:
- Global Health
- Epidemiology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Disease characteristics in North Korea, including malnutrition and infectious disease risks, lack comprehensive analysis.
- Understanding these risks is crucial for public health initiatives and refugee support.
Purpose of the Study:
- To estimate the prevalence and risks of infectious diseases among refugees originating from North Korea.
- To identify key infectious disease threats impacting this population.
Main Methods:
- A systematic literature review was conducted on clinical studies involving North Korean defectors.
- Statistical analysis was employed to estimate the risks of various infectious diseases.
Main Results:
- Tuberculosis and viral hepatitis were identified as the most prevalent infectious diseases, particularly in adult refugees.
- Plasmodium vivax malaria was found to be endemic in North Korea, a significant finding for differential diagnosis.
Conclusions:
- Review of health survey data highlights common infectious diseases like tuberculosis and viral hepatitis.
- Plasmodium vivax malaria is a distinctive health concern for North Korean defectors, necessitating its inclusion in differential diagnoses for febrile illnesses.
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