Barge relocation for asylum seekers despite Legionella controversy

author: FutureCar Staff    

The health secretary has stated that asylum seekers should still be placed back on the Bibby Stockholm barge, despite the recent discovery of Legionella bacteria. Legionella can cause a serious lung infection called Legionnaires' disease, which is contracted through breathing in water droplets containing the bacteria.

The Home Office has reported that none of the migrants on the barge have shown any symptoms of the disease. However, they were removed from the barge on Friday after Legionella was found in the vessel's water system. There has been controversy surrounding the situation, as it was revealed that people spent four days on board the barge after the bacteria was discovered.

Dorset Council claims that Home Office contractors were notified about the Legionella results four days prior to the removal of the migrants. The council also alleges that a Home Office staff member was informed about the bacteria on Tuesday. However, a government source denies these claims and states that the Home Office only received written notification on Wednesday evening.

In an interview with Sky News, the health secretary stated that ministers were only informed about traces of the bacteria on Thursday. He defended the actions taken, saying that the tests were done as a precautionary measure and that immediate action was taken once concerns were raised.

There have been outbreaks of various infectious diseases at asylum facilities in recent years, often attributed to overcrowding, poor hygiene, and low vaccination rates. The UK Health Security Agency has reported cases of diphtheria, strep A, MRSA, scabies, tuberculosis, and shigella among asylum seekers. Vaccinations against diphtheria had to be administered at the Manston processing center in Ramsgate, Kent due to identified cases. Scabies was also a problem at the Manston and Napier Barracks facilities, both of which were recommended for closure due to poor conditions.

Despite the controversy, the health secretary believes that asylum seekers should be placed back on the Bibby Stockholm barge to address the high costs of housing them in hotels. He emphasized that safety standards must be maintained while considering the financial burden on taxpayers.

The health secretary assured that there have been no concerns about illness related to Legionella among the migrants. He stated that all individuals on the barge are undergoing health assessments. The Bibby Stockholm barge is one of several alternative sites being used by the Home Office to reduce reliance on expensive hotels.

The operation of the barge has faced numerous delays and criticism. Charities have expressed concern that the evacuation and subsequent events have re-traumatized those on board. Conservative ministers have faced calls to resign, with criticism directed at the Home Office's handling of the situation.

Former cabinet minister David Davis criticized the Home Office, stating that the evacuation revealed its incompetence. He called for faster processing of asylum seekers to address the ongoing issue. The government hopes that the existence of the barge will deter people from making the dangerous journey across the Channel in small boats, but recent data shows a record number of arrivals.

Last week, over 100,000 people have crossed the Channel in small boats since records began in 2018. The government's immigration strategy has come under scrutiny following a tragic incident where at least six people died after a small boat capsized and sank during a crossing from France to the UK.

FutureCar Staff