Immigration Department and Communicable Diseases

Public Health Agency of Canada: The Immigration Department has published data on some of the newly arrived Syrians, but the public health study is the first comprehensive look at the entire group, according to The Chronicle Herald. The researchers focused on communicable diseases among those resettled in Canada as part of the Liberal program to bring 25,000 people here by the end of February. But while the study by Public Health Agency of Canada staff said the newcomers posed no risk to public health, it noted it will take time for chronic medical and mental-health conditions to present and health-care professionals need to remain vigilant. All applicants had medical exams as part of the program, though how many were rejected for medical reasons is unknown. None tested positive for syphilis or HIV. Ten were sent to hospital upon arrival for possible communicable diseases, though none ended up a concern to public health. The review found of those accepted, two had potential cases of non-infectious tuberculosis. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.