Some authorities are concerned that the Home Office is being irresponsible by allowing migrants to be distributed throughout the country without sufficient screening.
Health experts are concerned that migrants suspected of having diphtheria were transferred from a processing center in Kent to other parts of the country.
The Sunday Times reports that there have been dozens of probable instances of diphtheria among those who have left the Manston processing center in recent weeks.
A man who died after staying at the Manston center was infected with diphtheria, with a government official stating that initial tests conducted at a local hospital were inaccurately negative.
However, since postmortem exams are still ongoing, the official cause of death cannot yet be confirmed.
Some authorities are now concerned that the Home Office is being irresponsible by permitting migrants to be distributed throughout the country without sufficient screening.
The chairman of the Association of Directors of Public Health, Professor Jim McManus, told: “We discovered through our work with Afghan refugees that the Home Office and directors of public health can effectively collaborate to address the health concerns of refugees.
Unfortunately, that has not been the case this time, and as a result, preventable diseases have spread throughout the country, injuring refugees and costing us significantly more than their prevention would have. To call this unfortunate would be an understatement.”
Mark Harper told Sophy Ridge on Sunday that he believes the diphtheria patients now present in the United Kingdom were contracted before they arrive in the nation and that there is “minimal danger in the wider community.”
It is believed that the number of asylum seekers with diphtheria has increased across Europe, with the situation worse since October.
And many come from nations where diphtheria immunization is not routinely administered, as it is in the United Kingdom.
There is no record of whether migrants have been screened, infected, exposed, or treated, according to officials.
As of 10 November, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) had recorded 39 cases of diphtheria in England among asylum seekers in 2022. On Friday, it was reported that the number of illnesses had grown to roughly 50.
Officials could not rule out the possibility that the number of cases suspected by medical professionals was larger.
Diphtheria is a highly contagious infection that typically affects the nose, throat, and skin.
According to the NHS, immunization can prevent this disease, which can be fatal if not treated promptly, especially in youngsters.
UKHSA stated: “Due to the strong adoption of the diphtheria vaccine in this country and the fact that diphtheria is primarily transmitted through close, prolonged contact with an infected individual, the risk of diphtheria to the general population is extremely low.
“To reduce the risk of diphtheria transmission in asylum seeker settings, the UKHSA continues to recommend that individuals arriving at reception facilities and those who have recently moved on be administered a diphtheria vaccine and prophylactic treatment.”
Cases of diphtheria are typically assumed to be isolated, along with their contacts.
After experiencing significant congestion earlier this month, the Home Office said last week that there were no longer any occupants at the Manston center.
A Home Office representative stated: “We collaborate closely with a variety of community partners, including local authorities and health leads, to ensure that information is provided promptly and that everyone leaving Manston has access to appropriate care.
As stated by the UK Health Security Agency, the danger of diphtheria to the general population is extremely low due to the great uptake of the diphtheria vaccine in this country and the fact that the infection is primarily transmitted through close, continuous contact with an infected person.
Both the well-being of people under our care and our broader public health obligations are treated with the utmost importance. As a result, we continue to collaborate closely with the NHS and UKHSA to assist affected persons and prevent the spread of infection.”
