Communicable diseases in former Yugoslavia and in refugees arriving in the United Kingdom

Abstract

The war in the republics of former Yugoslavia has created the largest number of European refugees since the Second World War. Over 40,000 people from the republics arrived in the United Kingdom before visa restrictions were applied in September 1992, although not all of these were refugees. In November 1992, permission was given for about 4000 Bosnian ex-detainees and their dependents to come to the UK, about 700 of whom had arrived by the end of April 1993. The pre-war health care system in the republics is breaking down and the reporting and control of communicable diseases has been disrupted. Tuberculosis, lice and scabies are likely to affect refugees from former Yugoslavia. Suggestions are given for the management of refugees arriving in the UK, as well as travel health advice for aid workers and others going to the region.