Hearing hoofbeats, thinking zebras: five diseases common among refugees that Minnesota physicians need to know about.

ABSTRACT

Minnesota accepts more refugees per capita than any other state. For that reason, primary care physicians throughout the state are likely to encounter refugees in their practices. This article describes 5 infectious diseases that are common among refugees and what physicians need to know about them in order to effectively screen and treat patients who are newcomers to this country. The diseases discussed are strongyloides, schistosomiasis, malaria, hepatitis B, and tuberculosis.