Tijuana Health Officials: “Only a Third of Migrants in Caravans Are Being Treated For Health Concerns”

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As more migrants are coming in with caravans, residents note  that they are suffering from a number of health issues. From respiratory infections, chickenpox, tuberculosis and many others, it’s enough that Tijuana’s Health Department warned citizens of this fact.

Out of the 6,000 people that were coming in and currently living in the city, only a third of them are being treated for these health issues. Health officials have already  confirmed three cases of tuberculosis , and four cases of both HIV/AIDS, and chickenpox.

At least 101 migrants have lice or other skin infections as well.

To make matters worse, unsanitary living conditions add an increased threat of a Hepatitis outbreak. With spitting and coughing rampant, it’s hard for people to survive, especially since where they’re living is capable of housing about 1,000 people and there are thousands there.

With all these concerns, the Tijuana Mayor Juan Manuel Gastelum spoke about the issue. He stated that the city only has  enough money to support the migrants for a few more days, as the city was already spending roughly $30,000 per day.

“We won’t compromise the resources of the residents of Tijuana. We won’t raises taxes tomorrow to pay for today’s problem.”

But amid all of these problems and dire living conditions, some migrants are taking matters into their own hands and are self-deporting. As of late November, 80 were already self-deported with another 98 being deported by Mexican immigration officials.The 98 deported by Mexican immigration officials was as a result of those individuals participating in demonstrations that turned violent.

Others have accepted offers of temporary work, or even asylum from Mexico, yet many are remaining in those conditions as they are committed to get into the United States.