Robert Jenrick told MPs the number had risen from just four cases on November 1, when he first gave the update, to 50 on November 25. He said the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) found that the cases, which were in different asylum accommodation, had developed before the migrants entered the UK, either in their country of origin or on their journey to Europe. Read more: What is diphtheria, what are the symptoms and how is it transmitted? “It is important to stress that the UKHSA has been clear that the risk to the wider UK population from contracting diphtheria is very low, thanks in part to our excellent childhood immunization programme,” he told the Commons. He said “public health is of the utmost importance” and the government would take “all necessary steps to ensure the public is protected”. The UKHSA said that of the 50 cases, two were serious and required admission to hospital and treatment with diphtheria antitoxin and antibiotics.
More about Migrant Crossings
Earlier today the Home Office revealed that 500 migrants at the Manston processing center in Kent had been vaccinated against diphtheria before being moved to further accommodation. By early November, the center was suffering from severe overcrowding, when reports of diphtheria cases first appeared. Sky News also revealed today that a man who died after staying at Manston had the disease. Jenrick said initial tests on the man were negative, but a later PCR test showed he had diphtheria, however his cause of death is pending as the results of an autopsy are not yet available. Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player 0:31 500 immigrants were vaccinated against diphtheria The minister said migrants are screened on arrival in the UK and those with diphtheria are isolated in a designated area. People with symptoms are being tested, as well as their close contacts, he said. Mr Jenrick added that the measures “go beyond UKHSA’s basic advice because we want to take precautionary measures”. All migrants arriving in Manston this weekend have accepted the offer of the vaccine, which is voluntary, Mr Jenrick said. When the government first started offering the vaccine, uptake was only about 45%, but he said it is now 100%. Mr Jenrick said the government would work with the French to assess the diphtheria status in migrant camps in northern France, where most stay before crossing the dangerous English Channel to the UK. Image: The Manston processing center in Kent opened in February this year Labour’s shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper asked what was happening to the “several thousand others” who had moved from Manston in the past month. He expressed concerns that not enough has been done to stop the potential spread of diphtheria from those who have not been vaccinated, saying the public health recommendation for screening and vaccination was made almost three weeks ago “and it was already too late”. Ms Cooper also called on ministers to make sure everyone with symptoms is given ‘preventive antibiotics’ to fight the disease.” Mr Jenrick said the Home Office and UKHSA were to work with public health managers in areas where migrants are sent to get guidance on how to protect people from the disease. Migrants who have moved and have diphtheria should be “isolated in their rooms in these hotels or other forms of accommodation,” he added. They will bring their food and clothing to their door until they are well again and if further measures are needed they will be implemented, he said.
