Refugees at higher risk for persistent infections

The destruction caused by war is evident both in its toll to human life and its impact on infrastructure. Those who are lucky enough to escape violence face many challenges, from finding a safe place to live to securing employment, but another threat could further jeopardize their ability to survive—an increased risk of illness.

Kassem, who specializes in studying the effects of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), called the prevalence of AMR in refugee camps “dramatic, to say the least,” adding that refugee children and the elderly are most at risk.