[Infectious disease control for asylum seekers entering the Netherlands in 2018: is reform necessary?]

The number of asylum seekers entering the Netherlands has increased. However, the screening, detection and treatment of infectious diseases in asylum seekers has barely changed over the last 15 years. Infectious diseases, including vaccine-preventable diseases are being carried into the Netherlands by asylum seekers. However, neither the number nor the type of disease pose a real threat to public health. It is important to be alert to carriers of multidrug-resistant organisms among asylum seekers. National screening programmes are offered for a number of infectious diseases, but not for all diseases relevant to asylum seekers. Hygiene and sanitary facilities are essential in the care of asylum seekers, due mainly to the relatively high prevalence of scabies. Infectious disease control for asylum seekers in the Netherlands can be improved. Focusing on the country of origin is important. The current European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control Guidelines concerning medical care for asylum seekers should be implemented in the Netherlands.