JEE News understands that the number of cases of diphtheria among refugees arriving in the UK has risen to more than 50 recently.
It comes after it was confirmed that a migrant had died after contracting the disease while at the Manston processing center in Kent.
The man died in hospital on November 19 after entering the UK on a small boat seven days earlier.
The Home Office said it takes the welfare of people in its care seriously.
JEE News understands that this week, health officials are set to confirm that more than 50 cases of diphtheria have been reported among asylum seekers this year.
According to government data, in 2021, there were three of the same strain.
Diphtheria is a highly contagious infection that affects the nose, throat and sometimes causes ulcers on the skin.
According to the NHS website, it is spread by coughing and sneezing or by close contact with someone who is infected, and can be fatal in severe cases.
You can also get it by sharing things like cups, cutlery, clothes or bedding with an infected person.
In the UK, babies and children are vaccinated against diphtheria, meaning cases are rare. However, this infection is potentially dangerous for immigrants who come from countries where this is not the case.
The UK Health Security Agency (HSA) says it is not known if more than 50 people in Manchester have or were infected with diphtheria. The body said cases were on the rise among asylum seekers across Europe and that some had reported symptoms before arriving, and thus could have been infected in their home country. However, the incubation period for the disease is between two and five days, with a maximum of 10 days, so the infections in those who were in Manston are likely to be recent.
A post-mortem examination is being carried out to determine whether the Manston man died of a diphtheria infection.
According to a Home Office spokesman, hospital tests showed “diphtheria may be the cause of the illness”.
Initial tests were negative and the Home Office said at the time there was “no evidence at this stage” that the man had died from an infectious disease. But a follow-up PCR test for diphtheria gave a positive result.
Health officials recommend that people be offered vaccines and antibiotics upon arrival at their new residence, and that close contacts be identified.
The Manston Center was cleared earlier this month after reports of overcrowding and disease outbreaks. There are concerns that people who had diphtheria have moved across the country.
JEE News reported that Jim McManus, president of the Association of Directors of Public Health, said it had “put asylum seekers and potentially hotel workers at avoidable and preventable risk” and ” has created an additional and preventable burden on the local health system”.
He also accused the Home Office of a “lack of co-ordination” which had “made the situation worse than it was”.
Meanwhile, Liberal Democrat health spokeswoman Daisy Cooper said the government should be “ashamed” of what she called “shamelessness about the health and well-being of asylum seekers”.
A Home Office spokesman said: “We work closely with a range of partners within the community including local authorities and health to ensure that information is shared in a timely manner and that everyone who leaves Manchester receives appropriate treatment. Access should be granted.
“As the UK Health Security Agency has pointed out, the risk to the public from diphtheria is very low, due to the high uptake of diphtheria vaccine in this country and the fact that infection is usually caused by prolonged contact with a case. transmitted through
“We take both the wellbeing of those in our care and our wider public health responsibilities very seriously. As such, we work closely with the NHS and UKHSA to support those affected and limit the transmission of infection. Working together.”
UKHSA director for the South East, Dr Trishmans, added: “Due to the high uptake of diphtheria vaccine in this country, the risk of diphtheria to the wider public remains very low, and as the infection is usually close to long term. transmitted by contact. with a case.”
