Illustration depicting the hidden health threats in detention centers with medical symbols and concerned individuals.

Hidden Threats: How Parasitic and Viral Infections in Detained Migrants Are Overlooked

Beau Callahan in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 5 min read.

"Unseen Infections: Exploring the Prevalence of Neglected Tropical Diseases and Viral Infections Among Detained Migrants"

Detention centers, often unseen by the public eye, can be hotspots for a range of health issues. While these facilities are designed to house individuals awaiting legal proceedings or serving sentences, they also inadvertently become environments where infectious diseases can spread. This is particularly concerning for migrant populations, who may arrive with pre-existing health conditions, including neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) and viral infections.

A recent study published in the Journal of Tropical Medicine sheds light on this critical issue, focusing on detained migrants from sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America. The research reveals a troubling reality: a high prevalence of persistent parasitic infections such as strongyloidiasis and schistosomiasis, alongside viral infections like HIV, hepatitis B (HBV), and hepatitis C (HCV). These findings underscore the urgent need for increased awareness and intervention within detention settings.

This article explores the study's key findings, their implications for public health, and the importance of addressing these often-overlooked health challenges. We will examine the specific diseases, the study's methodology, and the potential impact of these infections on both the individuals affected and the broader community.

The Silent Threat: Unveiling the Prevalence of Parasitic and Viral Infections

Illustration depicting the hidden health threats in detention centers with medical symbols and concerned individuals.

The study, conducted in a pretrial detention center in Geneva, Switzerland, provides a sobering look at the health status of detained migrants. Researchers examined a cohort of 201 participants, the majority of whom originated from sub-Saharan Africa. The study's findings reveal a significant burden of infectious diseases, highlighting the complex interplay of parasitic and viral infections.

The study's methodology involved a cross-sectional prevalence study, incorporating standardized questionnaires and serological testing. This approach allowed researchers to assess the prevalence rates of various infections. The results showed concerning rates of HIV, chronic HBV, viraemic HCV, and strongyloidiasis. Additionally, the study examined the prevalence of schistosomiasis, which is particularly relevant for individuals originating from sub-Saharan Africa.

HIV: 3.5% of participants tested positive, with the highest prevalence among those from sub-Saharan Africa.
Chronic HBV: A substantial 12.4% of participants showed signs of chronic hepatitis B infection, primarily impacting the sub-Saharan African population.
Viraemic HCV: 2.0% of participants had active hepatitis C infection, with slightly higher rates among Latin American detainees.
Strongyloidiasis: The study found an 8.0% prevalence of strongyloidiasis, a parasitic infection.
Schistosomiasis: A notable 20.3% of participants from sub-Saharan Africa tested positive for schistosomiasis, a parasitic disease endemic to the region.

The study's findings underscore the need for interventions and increased health services. The presence of multiple coinfections, where individuals have more than one infection, further complicates the health situation. For example, co-infections with schistosomiasis and chronic HBV were detected, highlighting the complex challenges in providing adequate healthcare.

A Call to Action: Protecting Vulnerable Populations

The study's findings serve as a crucial reminder of the importance of addressing health challenges within detention settings. The high prevalence of persistent infections among detained migrants underscores the need for targeted interventions, including screening programs, early diagnosis, and appropriate treatment. Collaboration between healthcare providers, policymakers, and community organizations is essential to ensure that vulnerable populations receive the care they need, ultimately improving their health outcomes and reducing the risk of disease transmission. This research highlights the importance of a proactive approach to healthcare, especially for those who are often marginalized and underserved.

About this Article -

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This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1155/2018/7218534, Alternate LINK

Title: Coinfections Between Persistent Parasitic Neglected Tropical Diseases And Viral Infections Among Prisoners From Sub-Saharan Africa And Latin America

Subject: General Medicine

Journal: Journal of Tropical Medicine

Publisher: Hindawi Limited

Authors: Lilian Da Silva Santos, Hans Wolff, François Chappuis, Pedro Albajar-Viñas, Marco Vitoria, Nguyen-Toan Tran, Stéphanie Baggio, Giuseppe Togni, Nicolas Vuilleumier, François Girardin, Francesco Negro, Laurent Gétaz

Published: 2018-11-06

Everything You Need To Know

Why is there a concern about diseases like schistosomiasis, strongyloidiasis, HIV, HBV, and HCV among detained migrants?

There's significant concern because detained migrants, particularly those from regions like sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America, often arrive with pre-existing conditions, including neglected tropical diseases and viral infections. Detention centers can inadvertently become hotspots for the spread of infectious diseases. Diseases such as schistosomiasis, strongyloidiasis, HIV, HBV, and HCV, which show a high prevalence among this population, necessitate targeted interventions to prevent further transmission and provide adequate healthcare.

What did the study conducted in Geneva reveal about the health of detained migrants?

The study in Geneva revealed a significant burden of infectious diseases among detained migrants, primarily from sub-Saharan Africa. Key findings included a 3.5% prevalence of HIV, 12.4% of chronic HBV, 2.0% of viraemic HCV, 8.0% of strongyloidiasis, and 20.3% of schistosomiasis among those from sub-Saharan Africa. These findings underscore the urgent need for increased awareness, screening programs, and interventions within detention settings to address these health challenges.

What is the significance of co-infections, such as schistosomiasis and chronic HBV, among detained migrants?

Co-infections, like the detected co-occurrence of schistosomiasis and chronic HBV, significantly complicate healthcare delivery among detained migrants. Individuals with multiple infections often present with more severe symptoms, face challenges in diagnosis, and require complex treatment regimens. Addressing co-infections necessitates a comprehensive approach that considers the interactions between different pathogens and their impact on the individual's overall health.

How can healthcare providers, policymakers, and community organizations collaborate to protect the health of detained migrants?

Collaboration among healthcare providers, policymakers, and community organizations is crucial for protecting the health of detained migrants. Healthcare providers can implement screening programs, ensure early diagnosis, and provide appropriate treatment for diseases like schistosomiasis, strongyloidiasis, HIV, HBV, and HCV. Policymakers can allocate resources to support these interventions and develop guidelines for healthcare in detention settings. Community organizations can play a role in raising awareness, providing support services, and advocating for the rights of detained migrants to receive adequate healthcare.

What are the public health implications of overlooking parasitic and viral infections in detained migrant populations?

Overlooking parasitic and viral infections in detained migrant populations carries significant public health implications. Untreated infections like HIV, HBV, HCV, strongyloidiasis and schistosomiasis can lead to chronic health conditions, increased morbidity, and potential onward transmission within detention centers and the broader community. This can strain healthcare systems, increase healthcare costs, and exacerbate existing health inequalities. Addressing these infections through targeted interventions is essential for protecting both the health of detained migrants and public health.