Border epidemiological impact of the Venezuelan migratory flow in Peru 2017-2021

Geronimo R.K.M.; Vargas Y.C.; Cunya A.S.; Paucar A.L.C. · Boletin de Malariologia y Salud Ambiental (2022) · DOI: 10.52808/bmsa.7e6.626.002

Resumen

Migrations, although they can be beneficial for society, can also have repercussions, and from a humanitarian perspective they must be considered as a cross-cutting determinant of health. Reports of the spread of imported diseases are becoming more common, especially at the border limits where the health demand is greatest. During the last decade Venezuela has become a country of emigrants where more than 15% of the population are immigrants, and Peru being the country with the second most Venezuelan residents. According to statistics for 2021, the majority of Venezuelan migrants established in the border regions of Peru are in Piura with 27,359 residents (55% of the border areas), followed by Tumbes (16.5%) and Tacna (12, 9%), demonstrating the assiduous preference of the flow of entry through the northern border of Peru and posing as a challenge especially if it is considered that the majority do so irregularly, resulting in various epidemiological, health and humanitarian repercussions. During the last two decades, prioritized health problems (PHP) have been identified in the Peruvian border areas, such as malaria, dengue, human rabies, and more recently, Covid-19; requiring the development of programs for the prevention and control of PHP. Investigating about the current migratory epidemiology helps us to get a glimpse of the relationship between migration and health, which is useful to know their morbidity, identify areas of greatest interest, and define preventive policies according to priorities at the borders.

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos; Universidad Nacional de Huancavelica; Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Chota; Universidad Andina del Cusco