UK Authorities: Risk of Diphtheria ‘Very Low’ Despite Suspected Rise Among Illegal Immigrants

UK Authorities: Risk of Diphtheria ‘Very Low’ Despite Suspected Rise Among Illegal Immigrants
A memorial sign in the village of Manston, Kent, England, on Nov. 9, 2022. Chris Summers/The Epoch Times
Updated:

Britain’s health secretary has said that the risk of the public contracting diphtheria is “very low,” despite a rise in suspected cases among illegal immigrants being held in the country.

Speaking at the Royal Marsden Hospital in London, Minister of State for Health Steve Barclay said that one of the reasons for the low risk was that there had been a “very high uptake of vaccinations within the local population.”

Cases Rising

Barclay’s comments come after it was reported that more than 70 illegal immigrants with suspected cases of the infection were removed from a clearing facility in Manston, Kent.