Untested migrants risk American lives

In addition to a very large Latin American influx, migrants from Africa and Asia continue to arrive in the US from the countries listed above, and at rates higher than previous years. The first week of June alone saw 300 Congolese and Angolans arrive in San Antonio, Texas, before quickly dispersing across the country.

Yet, American politicians haven’t warned the public about the potential risk carried by the tens of thousands of untested migrants spread nationwide. If only a small fraction of new migrants has been exposed to any one of a host of infectious diseases, the consequences still may be dire.

Nevertheless, leading American institutions exhibit schizophrenia on this topic. They encourage extreme caution among Americans abroad while, “What you don’t know can’t hurt you” is the operational motto at home.

Back in America, a disquieting politically correct silence contrasts with the announcement that the CDC will initiate an emergency operations center in an effort to combat the Congo’s Ebola outbreak. It also contrasts with the American government’s push back against the spread of vaccine misinformation. For example, the CDC says the best way to prevent mumps is with the MMR vaccine, which is 88 percent effective.

This appropriate public education dovetails with public opinion. A Pew Research Center study, for example, found 82 percent of Americans agree that, “healthy children should be required to be vaccinated to attend school because of potential health risk to others.”

In that vein, perhaps American political leaders should prescribe a national vaccination programme to combat the health threats fueled by a porous border? Such a candid, responsible, and science-based approach would sit well with Americans who shouldn’t have to leave their own country to hear some medical home truths.