Three cases of tuberculosis have been confirmed among illegal immigrants entering the United States through the southern border, as reported by Fox News.
The cases were found in the El Paso sector, according to the same source.
Tuberculosis, a highly contagious disease caused by a bacterial infection, can affect various parts of the body, including the lungs, spine, kidneys, and brain. If left untreated, it can be fatal, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
In April, Commissioner Ashwin Vasan of New York City revealed that many individuals who recently arrived in the city had either lived in or traveled through countries with high rates of tuberculosis, as reported by the New York Post.
New York City has a tuberculosis rate of 6.1 cases per 100,000 people, which is more than double the national rate. Furthermore, approximately 90% of these cases occur in individuals born outside the United States.
Last year, Border Report disclosed that 74 illegal immigrants were diagnosed with tuberculosis. While most sought medical care in Mexico after being expelled from the United States, 25 individuals remain unaccounted for as of July.
The Texas Department of Health and Human Services has stated that tuberculosis disproportionately affects individuals living along the Texas-Mexico border. Texas shares the longest stretch of border with Mexico and has heavily trafficked entry points.
In 2022, the border counties of Texas accounted for 21.2% of tuberculosis cases in the state, despite only 9.5% of the state's population residing in these counties.
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