A number of diphtheria cases have been detected in centres for asylum seekers in both Kent and in other parts of the UK. It seems likely that most infections were acquired in the country of origin, or during travel to the UK, often in crowded and difficult circumstances.
To stop the infection spreading further and to protect those who may have been exposed on or during their journey everyone arriving to claim asylum in the UK is currently being offered a dose of a diphtheria containing vaccine and a course of antibiotics (called azithromycin), to reduce the risk of diphtheria and some other infections.
We have a number of hotels in north east London accommodating asylum seekers so please be aware of the symptoms of diphtheria, which usually start 2 to 5 days after becoming infected. These include:
- a thick grey-white coating that may cover the back of your throat, nose and tongue
- a high temperature (fever)
- sore throat
- swollen glands in your neck
- difficulty breathing and swallowing
In countries with poor hygiene, infection of the skin (cutaneous diphtheria) is more common. If it's cutaneous diphtheria, it can cause:
- pus-filled blisters on your legs, feet and hands
- large ulcers surrounded by red, sore-looking skin
Read more:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/diphtheria/