Intestinal parasites in Laotian refugees

Abstract

Laotian refugees relocated in the Columbus, Ohio, area were screened for intestinal parasites. Eight different pathogens were isolated. The prevalence of the various organisms ranged from 4 to 61 percent of persons affected and 18 to 100 percent of families. These data show a higher prevalence of parasitic disease than that revealed by previous observations by the Center for Disease Control among Southeast Asian refugees. It was also apparent that neither federal nor local programs were adequate to meet the special health care needs of these refugees nor to safeguard the health of communities they entered.