Annex 1. Diseases to be monitored when people are housed in temporary shelters
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.
šPeople suffering from malnutrition are particularly at risk of serious attacks of all these diseases. Good nutrition therefore constitutes an effective preventive measure.
