Diarrhoea among Vietnamese refugees in the Philippines.

A 6-month survey of diarrhoeas in Vietnamese refugee camp children was carried out and was responsible for 32.5% of pediatric consultations. One hundred twenty cases were studied and underwent laboratory work-up. Peak incidence was in the 4-6 years. Diarrhoea was observed to be at its peak in April and June which coincides with the increase in the number of transients and with the rainy season. Diarrhoea with fever and abdominal pain were the most prominent clinical symptoms. Only 8.3% grew bacterial pathogens' enteropathogenic E. coli being the most common followed by Staphylococcus aureus. It is apparent that a causative agent other than a bacterial pathogen such as a virus may play a major role in diarrhoeas in Vietnamese refugee infants and children. The lack of environmental sanitation and health education play a major role in the causation of diarrhoea in these refugee children.