Fifty migrants who’ve not too long ago arrived within the UK have been identified with diphtheria, the immigration minister has revealed.
Robert Jenrick advised MPs that the quantity has elevated from simply 4 instances on 1 November, when he first gave an replace.
He mentioned the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) discovered the instances, which had been throughout totally different asylum lodging, had developed earlier than the migrants had entered the UK.
“It’s important to emphasise that the UKHSA has been clear that the risk to the wider UK population from onward transmission of diphtheria is very low, thanks in no small part to our excellent childhood immunisation programme,” he advised the Commons.
He mentioned “public health is paramount” and the federal government will take all steps vital to make sure that the general public are protected”.
Earlier at this time the Home Office revealed 500 migrants on the Manston processing centre in Kent have been vaccinated in opposition to diphtheria earlier than they had been moved to additional lodging.
Sky News additionally revealed at this time a person who died after staying at Manston had the illness.
Mr Jenrick mentioned preliminary assessments on the person had been detrimental however a subsequent PCR check confirmed he had diphtheria following a autopsy.
He mentioned migrants are being examined upon arrival within the UK and people with diphtheria are being remoted in a delegated space.
People with signs are being examined, and likewise their shut contacts, he mentioned.
The minister added that the measures “go beyond the baseline advice of the UKHSA because we want to take precautionary measures”.
All migrants who arrived at Manston this weekend took up the provide of the vaccine, which is voluntary, Mr Jenrick mentioned.
Labour’s shadow dwelling secretary Yvette Cooper requested what is occurring with those that have been moved on from Manston over the previous month as she raised issues not sufficient has been accomplished to cease diphtheria doubtlessly spreading from those that haven’t been vaccinated.
Mr Jenrick mentioned the Home Office and the UKHSA are going to work with public well being administrators in areas the place migrants are being despatched to make they’ve the steerage to guard individuals from the illness.
Source: information.sky.com”