Manston migrant centre death may have been from diphtheria, Home Office says | The Sun
A DEATH at the Manston migrant processing centre may have been caused by diphtheria, the Home Office has said.
Initial tests at a hospital near the centre in Kent were negative, but a follow-up PCR test gave a positive result.
A Home Office statement said that the report suggested that "diphtheria may be the cause of the illness".
The man, believed to be from the Middle East and in his 30s, died in hospital on November 19.
He is believed to have entered the UK on a small boat seven days earlier.
Whitehall sources said he was rushed to hospital after landing on British shores before being discharged into Manston.
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He was readmitted to hospital last Tuesday, where he later died.
Manston has been at the centre of a political row after Suella Braverman was slammed for letting it become “overwhelmed” with people.
Migrants are only meant to stay at the centre for 24 hours while their asylum claims are processed before being moved into other accommodation like hotels.
But a huge processing backlog has seen the site swamped with thousands of people and the conditions deteriorate.
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The centre was previously reported to have seen a diphtheria outbreak amid fears of overcrowding.
The Refugee Council revealed that one boy had contracted scabies after staying at the centre for 19 days in "inhumane" conditions.
There has also been a report of a case of MRSA at the camp.
Detention Action said the facility remained "hugely overcrowded, unhygienic and unsafe" and was on the verge of becoming a "public health disaster".
A Government spokesperson said: "Our thoughts remain with the family of the man who has died and all those affected by this loss.
"Initial test results processed by a local hospital for an infectious disease were negative, but a follow-up PCR test was positive, indicating that diphtheria may be the cause of the illness. The Coroner will conclude in due course.
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"We take the safety and welfare of those in our care extremely seriously and are taking all of the necessary steps following these results.
"We are offering diphtheria vaccinations to people at Manston, which has 24/7 health facilities and trained medical staff."
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