WHO

Proposed Health Component in the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration

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WHO

Reports on situation analysis and practices in addressing the health needs of refugees and migrants

To achieve the vision of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals, to leave no one behind, it is imperative that the health needs of refugees and migrants be adequately addressed. In its 140th session in January 2017, the Executive Board requested that its Secretariat develop a framework of priorities and guiding principles to promote the health of refugees and migrants. In May 2017, the World Health Assembly endorsed resolution 70.15 on Promoting the health of refugees and migrants. This resolution urges Member States to strengthen international cooperation regarding the health of refugees and migrants in line with the New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants. It urged Member States to consider providing the necessary health-related assistance through bilateral and international cooperation to those countries hosting and receiving large populations of refugees and migrants, as well as using the Framework of priorities and guiding principles at all levels. In addition, the resolution requested the Director-General to conduct a situation analysis and identify best practices, experiences and lessons learned in order to contribute to the development of a global action plan for the Seventy-second World Health Assembly in 2019.

In alignment with World Health Assembly resolution 70.15, WHO made an online global call from August 2017 to January 2018 for contributions on evidence-based information, best practices, experiences and lessons learned in addressing the health needs of refugees and migrants. Between August 2017 and January 2018, 199 submissions were received, covering 85 countries, from 52 Member States and partners such as the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the International Labour Organization (ILO). The submissions included valuable information on the current situation of refugees and migrants, health challenges associated with migration and forced displacement, past and ongoing practices and interventions in promoting the health of refugees and migrants, legal frameworks in place for addressing the health needs of this population, lessons learned and recommendations for the future.

Reports

Practices

NPR

“…..The total number of migrants arriving in Europe by sea fell by a third in 2018, to just under 115,000 people….”

NBC

“…..The patient had been on a seven-week-long yoga retreat in India just weeks before. “Tour members confirmed that the patient was bitten by a puppy outside her hotel in Rishikesh, India, and that the wound was washed with water, but no further treatment was administered,” Virginia’s chief veterinarian, Dr. Julia Murphy…..the patient’s husband reported that she had been bitten on the right hand by a puppy approximately six weeks before symptom onset while touring in India…….”

Wound Botulism Outbreak Among Persons Who Use Black Tar Heroin — San Diego County, California, 2017–2018
Corey M. Peak, ScD; Hilary Rosen, MPH; Amanda Kamali, MD; et al.

“…….During September 2017–April 2018, nine cases of wound botulism were reported in San Diego County, California; all patients reported injecting heroin, and seven used black tar heroin, including subcutaneous injection in six patients. Symptoms were first attributed to drug intoxication for four patients; two received the opioid overdose reversal medication naloxone without improvement in symptoms. One patient died.

Increasing use of black tar heroin during the opioid crisis might lead to additional cases of wound botulism. Heightened awareness of the disease might improve timely diagnosis and treatment. Prompt diagnosis and administration of botulism antitoxin can be lifesaving….”

Science Direct

NYT

NPR

Outbreak News

“…..The boy was bitten by a dog on November 19….and ten days later he was subjected to an antirabies vaccination scheme, receiving four doses…..”

CDC:  Vaccination after an exposure

“….Anyone who has been bitten by an animal, or who otherwise may have been exposed to rabies, should clean the wound and see a doctor immediately. The doctor will determine if they need to be vaccinated.

A person who is exposed and has never been vaccinated against rabies should get 4 doses of rabies vaccine – one dose right away, and additional doses on the 3rd, 7th, and 14th days. They should also get another shot called Rabies Immune Globulin at the same time as the first dose…..”

HxC