Diphtheria: Migrants with symptoms to be isolated

Migrants with symptoms of diphtheria are to beryllium enactment into isolation, arsenic cases of the illness rise, ministers say.

Those showing signs of corruption volition beryllium separated for a "short period" astatine the Manston processing centre successful Kent, oregon astatine a "designated isolation centre" portion they are treated.

The determination follows the decease of a antheral astatine Manston, which whitethorn person been caused by diphtheria.

Health caput Steve Barclay said the hazard to the nationalist was "very low".

During a sojourn to the Royal Marsden Hospital successful London, Mr Barclay said a "very precocious uptake" of diphtheria vaccinations wrong the British nationalist meant galore were good protected.

He stressed that the concern was being monitored "closely".

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said determination had been an "increase" successful cases of diphtheria reported among migrants arriving successful the UK.

It has confirmed 50 cases were identified arsenic of 25 November, including among children. The fig stood astatine 39 connected November 10.

Public wellness experts person raised concerns astir the dispersed of the illness arsenic migrants were moved to hotels.

The latest UKHSA study said 38 of the cases person been reported successful south-east England, with immoderate cases besides detected crossed London, the West Midlands and the north-east of England.

The wellness assemblage has besides advised vaccines and antibiotics are offered to radical connected accomplishment astatine their caller accommodation.

Immigration curate Robert Jenrick said immoderate asylum seekers who whitethorn person the corruption but are already successful hotels volition beryllium told to isolate successful their rooms portion they are treated.

He aboriginal confirmed the isolation centres would beryllium akin to those utilized to curb infections during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Mr Jenrick told the Commons: "From today, no-one presenting with symptoms volition advancement into the asylum accommodation system.

"They volition either stay astatine Manston, isolating for a abbreviated period, oregon they volition question to a designated isolation centre successful unafraid transport wherever they volition beryllium treated until deemed medically fit."

Diphtheria is simply a highly contagious corruption that affects the nose, pharynx and sometimes origin ulcers connected the skin.

According to the NHS website, it is dispersed by coughs and sneezes oregon done adjacent interaction with idiosyncratic who is infected, and successful superior cases tin beryllium fatal.

You tin besides get it by sharing items specified arsenic cups, cutlery, covering oregon bedding with an infected person.

The attraction of migrants astatine the processing centre successful Kent has triggered a question of campaigns and interest from wellness professionals and campaigners.

At 1 point, the installation designed to clasp 1,600 radical contained 4,000.

Charity Detention Action launched a ineligible campaign to region migrants housed successful the installation for longer than 24 hours.

Home Secretary Suella Braverman said the overcrowding was caused by a deficiency of suitable accommodation.

She told MPs: "What I person refused to bash is to prematurely merchandise thousands of radical into section communities without having anyplace for them to stay."