Pneumologist: TB screening of refugees must be a priority

[unhappycamper]

http://www.dw.com/en/pneumologist-tb-screening-of-refugees-must-be-a-priority/a-19138127

Doctors in Germany are concerned about conditions in refugee camps and the possible spread of tuberculosis. Routine screenings are essential, says pneumologist Karl Schenkel.

Pneumologist: TB screening of refugees must be a priority
Gudrun Heise
24.03.2016

Deutsche Welle: According to the Robert-Koch-Institute for infectious diseases, the number of tuberculosis (TB) cases in Germany has gone up, recently - from 4,533 in 2014 to 5,865 last year. Can this increase be attributed to the refugee influx?

Dr. Karl Schenkel: The refugees are contributing to this. We have taken in a large number of refugees, and right now, we are detecting a linear increase in infections. But that's something we did expect - we are not surprised by this.

How can one detect tuberculosis among refugees?

Here in Germany, we used to conduct regular screenings for tuberculosis. Then they were abolished, because as the numbers of infections were going down, it was not considered necessary screen everyone anymore. Now, we have partly reinstituted regular screenings - which are mandated under German federal law.

The law stipulates that people who are put up in mass accommodation, such as refugee camps, must be free of infectious diseases, including TB. All adults and teenagers over the age of 15 years will have their lungs x-rayed. Pregnant women are, of course, an exception.

Is the risk of transmission higher among refugees?

The key to fighting TB is its early detection. This means that people have to be x-rayed as soon as they arrive in Germany. If TB is found, these patients will have to be isolated in special clinics.