Assessing enteric helminths in refugees, asylum seekers and new migrants

Currently there are 59.5 million people forcibly displaced worldwide as a result of conflict, human rights violations, generalised violence or persecution. Of these, 19.5 million are refugees and 1.8 million are asylum seekers. Each year Australia accepts 13 750 refugees through the offshore Humanitarian program, and in 2016 that number will almost double with the addition of 12 000 refugees from Syria and Iraq. Many refugees have complex medical needs and have reached Australia after a difficult journey, often involving time in refugee camps and exposure to traumatic events including physical hardship and illness. Refugees often come from parts of the world where parasitic and tropical infectious diseases are prevalent and untreated. This article provides a review of enteric helminth infections in refugees, including asylum seekers and those from a refugee-like background.