Risk assessment: Situation in northern Africa/Libyan Arab Jamahiriya and the influx of migrants* to Europe
ECDC, after conducting rapid risk assessments, has concluded that the risk of importation of infectious diseases from North Africa to the EU is considered to be low. From a public health perspective, the most urgent concern is related to the poor living conditions of the migrants, such as overcrowding and poor sanitation.
* For the purpose of this risk assessment, ‘migrants’ is defined as including refugees, asylum seekers, displaced populations, irregular migrants and in some cases labour migrants, as defined by IOM in the Glossary on Migration, 2004 available athttp://www.iom.int/jahia/webdav/site/myjahiasite/shared/shared/mainsite…
Executive summary
In order to ensure early detection of the occurrence of outbreak-prone infections and illnesses causing high mortality, an appropriately adapted surveillance system could be in place in the reception and detention centres. Such surveillance allows for the early detection of any changes in trends of diseases and potential outbreaks, and permits the rapid implementation of control measures.
ECDC, in collaboration with the Member States, the European Commission and international organisations, is continuing to closely monitor the situation in order to rapidly identify and assess potential communicable disease threats.
