Migrants‘ flow within maritime area - health threats and challenges

An analysis of the refugee crisis in the Balkans and the European Union is made. Defined are several groups of migrants: refugees, asylum seekers and economic migrants. Regardless of their status, they may become a direct or indirect challenge both for the health of crews and maritime medicine. The reasons for the deterioration of the migrants` health status are considered and discussed. Main risks are: drowning, dehydration, hypothermia and hyperthermia, burns, malnutrition, increased infectious diseases and violence. They are also a health risks for the marine medical specialists and crews when contact with migrants in the limited space of the vessels. Overcoming these challenges requires special medical training of the rescue teams