Open AccessInfectious disease control in a long-term refugee camp: the role of epidemiologic surveillance and investigation.
Author(s) -
Christopher Elias,
Bruce H. Alexander,
T Sokly
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
american journal of public health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.284
H-Index - 264
eISSN - 1541-0048
pISSN - 0090-0036
DOI - 10.2105/ajph.80.7.824
Subject(s) - refugee , epidemiologic surveillance , medicine , outbreak , disease surveillance , infectious disease (medical specialty) , disease , epidemiology , environmental health , disease control , public health , gerontology , family medicine , geography , pathology , archaeology
This report demonstrates the role of epidemiologic surveillance and investigation in the control of infectious diseases in a long-term refugee camp. The applications of simple epidemiologic methods in a refugee camp on the Thai-Cambodian border are described for a one-year period. The development of a Health Information Office facilitated the collection of demographic and vital statistics data, administration of a disease surveillance system, regular monitoring of hospital and outpatient discharge diagnoses, and investigation of disease outbreaks. This office also organized community health education campaigns and disease control efforts. Examples of specific disease investigations are provided to demonstrate the utility of epidemiologic surveillance in the control of infectious disease. We conclude that simple epidemiologic methods play an important role in health planning in long-term refugee camps.