SEVEN more cases of diphtheria discovered among asylum seekers in UK

SEVEN more cases of diphtheria discovered among asylum seekers in Britain in a week – after it is revealed migrant who died after contracting disease had previously been discharged from hospital

  • New figures on diphtheria revealed today by the UK Health Security Agency 
  • Showed total number of cases among channel arrivals this year is now at 57 
  • Of those, 52 have been discovered since the beginning of October

Seven more cases of diphtheria have been discovered among asylum seekers in Britain. 

New figures revealed today by the UK Health Security Agency show the total number of cases among channel arrivals this year of the previously rare infection is now at 57.

Of those, 52 have been discovered since the beginning of October, the UKHSA said.

It comes after there were reports of fresh cases of diphtheria being found at the Manston migrant processing centre in Kent.

The UKHSA said seven cases of diphtheria among asylum seekers were reported between November 28 and December 4. In the previous week – from November 21 to November 27 – the total was 50 after five cases were reported.

New figures revealed today by the UK Health Security Agency show the total number of cases among channel arrivals this year of the previously rare infection is now at 57.

Husean Hseb was first taken to hospital in Margate on November 14 but was discharged back to the Manston migrant centre (pictured)

Some 44 of the cases have been recorded in the South East, as well as fewer than five in each of the following areas: London; West Midlands, South West, North East and the North West, the latest report said. No breakdown by county has been provided.

Last week the immigration minister told MPs asylum seekers with symptoms of diphtheria would be put into isolation after the UKHSA said there had been an ‘increase’ in the number of infections among those coming to the UK.

Robert Jenrick said migrants showing signs of the highly-contagious disease will be separated for a ‘short period’ at Manston or held in a ‘designated isolation centre’ while they are treated.

Any asylum seekers who may have the infection but are already in hotels would be told to isolate in their rooms while they are treated.

Yesterday it was revealed that a Channel migrant who died of diphtheria had earlier been taken to hospital and discharged.

Husean Hseb, 31, died on November 19, one week after reaching Britain, an inquest heard.

He was first taken to hospital in Margate on November 14 but was discharged back to the Manston migrant centre. Mr Hseb, said to be a Kurd, suffered multiple organ failure after he was returned to hospital on November 19 with a fever.

Diphtheria is a highly contagious bacterial infection that can lead to difficulty breathing and heart problems. Children in Britain have been vaccinated against it since the 1940s. The inquest at Maidstone was adjourned.

The medical cause of death was described in court as unascertained.

Sources have previously said Mr Hseb was ill when he arrived at the Western Jet Foil in Dover – the disembarkation point for Channel migrants who are intercepted by British authorities.

He was initially thought to be suffering from tonsilitis, which can have similar symptoms to early cases of diphtheria, the sources said.

Home Secretary Suella Braverman faced criticism about overcrowding and outbreaks of disease at Manston.

The latest UKHSA data sets out how many cases were reported each month since the start of the year, with a weekly break down from October onwards.

The figures show the first case was reported in February but no more were recorded until June. Since then, fresh cases have been reported every month. The total number of cases first hit double figures in October.

Ministers and health officials have insisted the risk of the public getting diphtheria is very low and infections are rare.

The illness – which affects the nose, throat and sometimes skin – can be fatal if not treated quickly but antibiotics and other medicines are available.

But some public health experts raised concerns about the spread of the disease as migrants were moved to hotels.

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