Investigations taking place into possible TB cases in Wethersfield Airfield
There are currently no confirmed cases
Last updated 28th Jul 2023
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) are investigating a small number of possible tuberculosis cases at Wethersfield Airfield, which is being used to house asylum seekers.
They've confirmed currently there are no confirmed cases and they're working with other organisations on the matter.
The public health risk is also extremely low.
A statement from the UKHSA says:
"The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is aware of a small number of possible TB cases amongst residents at the Wethersfield accommodation site and are carrying out further investigations. These were picked up through routine blood tests taken on arrival to the site. Any of the residents showing symptoms such as a cough and high temperature are being isolated from the rest of the group to prevent spread of the infection. At present there are no confirmed cases of TB.
"UKHSA is currently working with NHS colleagues, Essex County Council and the Home Office regarding this matter. The public health risk to the local community is extremely low."
Dr Jörg Hoffmann, Regional Deputy Director, UKHSA East of England said:
“Although TB is an infectious disease, it does not spread easily to others and requires close and lengthy contact with someone who has TB, such as someone living in the same house. The risk to the wider community is extremely low.
“People can be reassured that TB is treatable with antibiotics and all organisations are working together to make sure the residents get the appropriate treatment and care.”
2,000 asylum seekers could be housed in tents
It comes as up to 2,000 asylum seekers could be housed in tents on disused military sites under Suella Braverman’s plans to avoid hotel use ahead of an expected surge of small boat crossings.
The Home Secretary has purchased the marquees in recent days to accommodate the migrants by the end of August, according to a Whitehall source.
More than 14,000 people have made unauthorised crossings this year as Prime Minister Rishi Sunak struggles to meet his promise of “stopping the boats”.
But Ms Braverman is working on contingency plans to erect the tents in the coming weeks with a surge of boats expected.
The Times, which first reported the tent purchases, cited Government sources saying a similar proposal was rejected last year because of warnings it would trigger legal challenges based on inhumane treatment of asylum seekers.
Elsewhere in the UK, the Home Office expects to send an initial 50 people to the UK’s first floating barge for asylum seekers on Tuesday despite safety concerns and local opposition.
A Government source confirmed details of the first arrivals at the Bibby Stockholm barge in Portland, Dorset, and numbers are due to rise gradually over coming months.
The floating facility will host around 500 men at a time under Government efforts to reduce the use of hotels to house people awaiting the results of asylum claims.
A record backlog and thousands of people making unauthorised crossings of the Channel have strained the system as Prime Minister Rishi Sunak battles to “stop the boats”.
But refugee charities said the use of barges and former military bases to house asylum seekers is damaging to the needs of vulnerable people, and also raised concerns for migrants’ safety.
Conservative MPs representing areas where the facilities are being established have also been worried about how their constituencies will be impacted.
A month behind schedule after undergoing repairs, Bibby Stockholm was met by protesters as it arrived in Portland Port on Tuesday last week.
Some residents have raised concerns for their safety on the island with a population of around 13,000 and argued that it does not have the infrastructure to provide for the newcomers and those already there.
A Home Office spokeswoman said: “The Bibby Stockholm has completed a statutory inspection and refurbishment and is now berthing in Portland.
“The welfare of those in our care is of the utmost priority and the barge is now undergoing final preparations to ensure it complies with all appropriate regulations before the arrival of the first asylum seekers in the coming weeks.”