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Robert Koch Institute No health risk from refugees
Once again, experts have pointed out that there are no health risks for the native population of those arriving in Germany. Rather, the asylum seekers are a vulnerable group of people. Due to the long flight, they are often very weakened and therefore more susceptible to illness.
No health hazard to local people
According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), there are no health risks for the native population of those arriving in Germany. So far, these people have only rarely brought infectious diseases. It is more likely to detect diseases such as Windpoken or measles, said the deputy head of the RKI Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Andreas Gilsdorf, told the German Press Agency. However, most of these diseases occurred in Germany and were not brought along.
According to information from the RKI, no particular health risk emanates from the refugees. (Image: Lydia Geissler / fotolia.com) Not transferable from person to person
Although there are a few diseases that also resulted from the trips, but these are very often not transferable from person to person, such as malaria. Or very difficult: For example, there are some cases of lice relapse fever, which is transmitted by lice, but also by very close body contact. According to Gilsdorf, these diseases did not affect the general population. Although the number of cases of tuberculosis among the people who are traveling actually increases, there is no danger to the local population.
Refugees are at risk
The RKI pointed out last week that asylum seekers are a vulnerable group rather than a danger to others. Over half of them reached Germany traumatized. In addition, they are often weakened due to the long, arduous journey and thus more susceptible to infectious diseases. Added to this is the often missing vaccine protection and the usually cramped situations in the reception facilities. Gilsdorf advised the volunteer helpers to refresh the general vaccine - against measles, guts, rubella, polio or diphtheria. "With the normal hygiene rules" they are then well protected. Time and again, experts demand an improvement in the health care of refugees and asylum seekers. They should not remain second-class patients. (Ad)