Health officer: illegal Hispanic immigrants raise health problems

al.com ^ | 10/10/07 | BOB JOHNSON

[TornadoAlley3]

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — The state health officer told members of a new state task force Wednesday that the rising number of Hispanic immigrants in Alabama are bringing with them additional cases of communicable diseases like tuberculosis and chicken pox.

Dr. Don Williamson said in 2006 there were 53 cases of tuberculosis reported in Alabama in people who were born in other countries, about half in immigrants from Mexico and Guatemala.

But Williamson cautioned members of the Joint Patriotic Immigration Commission that tougher rules against illegal immigration might cause sick people to be afraid to seek treatment.

[TornadoAlley3]

Assistant state schools superintendent Craig Pouncey told committee members there are about 18,000 students in state schools who do not speak English or for whom English is a second language. He said it costs the state almost $3,100 extra a year to educate each of these students.

[mewzilla]

On a related note, from June...

Illegal Immigrants Spread Tuberculosis At Poultry Plant

[stephenjohnbanker]

“MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — The state health officer told members of a new state task force Wednesday that the rising number of Hispanic immigrants in Alabama are bringing with them additional cases of communicable diseases like tuberculosis and chicken pox.”

Paging Captain Obvious!!

[GOPmember]

Aerosolizing the bacilli and viruses that Americans won’t.

[SandRat]

< feigned astonishment & incredulity > NO! Say it ain't so. < / feigned astonishment & incredulity >

[notaliberal]

What the hay, it’s just American kids!

[pandoraou812]

This really scares me. The illegals bringing diseases we have been rid of for years..

[boop]

I can’t believe we are just hearing about this now. In my practice I see illegals with chicken pox all the time. In people in their 20’s, which is very rare in US citizens. I know that when I see one case that the whole household will be coming to see me soon thereafter.

[Chode]

do I really have to say it???

[Mad Dawg]

Ping

[stephenjohnbanker]

The media doesn’t want to talk about this.

[ken21]

they just noticed this?

/s

[dragnet2]

The state health officer told members of a new state task force Wednesday that the rising number of Hispanic immigrants in Alabama are bringing with them additional cases of communicable diseases like tuberculosis and chicken pox.

Boy, the health officer ought to run for Congress. What cutting edge insight. A brilliant analytical mind.

[gaijin]

“Where madness prevails, ‘tis folly to be wise...”

[Tennessee Nana]

“Sen. Scott Beason, R-Gardendale, asked Williamson if it would not reduce health care costs if there were fewer illegal immigrants”

Well, duh...

[Poincare]

...bringing with them additional cases of communicable diseases like tuberculosis and chicken pox.

Don't forget all the variants of Montezuma's revenge, E-coli, etc. Good things to spread around in meat packing plants.

[gubamyster]

ping

[SonnyBubba]

Wow! This is breaking news! I am shocked, I’ll tell you, shocked!

[seemoAR]

Also, Leprosy and bed bugs are making a comeback.