[Infectious diseases and health in the migrant people: experience from Lampedusa 2011].

Migration is one of the possible points of contact between the rich world and the poor world. This paper analyzes and quantifies the presence of infectious diseases in a cohort of about 25,000 immigrants from Africa who landed in Lampedusa in 2011. The main clinical presentations of a cohort of migrants in Lampedusa were observed consecutively in 2011 during landing and then within the reception centers. In over 75% of the cases observed, the population was healthy. In 23% of cases diseases were observed in relation to the migration route, especially the precarious conditions of the crossing of the Channel of Sicily. Infectious diseases or female genital pathologies were observed in less than 2% of the population. The experience of Lampedusa in 2011 confirmed the Healthy Migrant theory, a population predominantly represented by young people who are at risk of becoming ill during the difficult migration or in the host country due to poor living conditions. Taking care of such people is an act of civilization and ensures the health of this population and of the whole community.