Diphtheria may have caused death of migrant at Manston

A MAN’S death at the Manston migrant processing centre may have been caused by a diphtheria infection, the Home Office has said.

Initial tests at a hospital near the centre in Kent, which has struggled with overcrowding and outbreaks of disease, came back negative – but a follow-up PCR was positive.

The result indicates that “diphtheria may be the cause of the illness”.

The man died in hospital on Nov 19 after being believed to have entered the UK on a small boat seven days earlier.

The Government said: “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.

“We are offering diphtheria vaccinations at Manston, which has 24/7 health facilities and trained medical staff.”

A post mortem examination and a coroner’s investigation are ongoing.

Diphtheria is a highly contagious infection affecting the nose, throat and sometimes skin. The NHS says it is rare in the UK and can be treated through antibiotics and other medicines.

The Home Office initially said there was “no evidence at this stage to suggest

‘We are offering diphtheria vaccinations at Manston, which has 24/7 health facilities and medical staff ’

that this tragic death was caused by an infectious disease”, with the man being taken ill a day before dying.

As many as 4,000 people were being detained at the site, which is designed to hold 1,600, but on Tuesday Government sources said it had been emptied.

New arrivals were expected to be taken to the site, which is designed for holding people for short periods during security and identity checks before they are moved to accommodation. But some have been held far longer due to a lack of alternative accommodation.

The Home Office has not said whether it is taking steps to limit the spread of diphtheria elsewhere, with migrants having been moved from Manston to hotels around the country.

The Sunday Times said there have been 70 cases among those who have been moved from the facility, including 27 men who were diagnosed at a hospital in Wakefield, prompting an “incident” to be declared locally.

Ahead of the man’s death, the UK Health Security Agency identified 39 diphtheria cases in asylum seekers in England in 2022, as of Nov 10. The health authority warned that accommodation settings should be considered “high-risk for infectious diseases”.

Liberal Democrat MPs called for the immediate resignation of Suella Braverman, the Home Secretary.