Disease¹

Main Causes

Diarrhoeal diseases

Overcrowding. Contaminated water and food.

Measles

Overcrowding.

Respiratory complaints

Poor housing conditions. Shortage of blankets and clothing.

Malaria

A new environment with a type of malaria against which the refugees have no protection. Stagnant water becoming a mosquito breeding ground.

Meningococcal meningitis

Overcrowding in a region where the disease is endemic (it is often seasonal in certain places).

Tuberculosis

Overcrowding.

Helminths, particularly hookworm

Overcrowding. Poor sanitation.

Scabies (a skin disease caused by mites)

Overcrowding. Poor bodily hygiene.

Xerophthalmia (infant blindness)

Vitamin A deficiency (xerophthalmia is often provoked by measles or some other acute infection).

Anaemia

Malaria, hookworm, shortage or poor assimilation of iron and folate.

Tetanus

Injuries in an unvaccinated population. Poor obstetrical practice may cause tetanus of the newborn.