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Migrants being moved off barge over Legionella bacteria fears Bibby Stockholm barge migrants being moved over Legionella bacteria fears
(32 minutes later)
The news will be a blow to a flagship part of the government's plan to deter Channel crossings by migrantsThe news will be a blow to a flagship part of the government's plan to deter Channel crossings by migrants
Migrants are being temporarily removed from the Bibby Stockholm barge after traces of Legionella bacteria were found in the on board water system. Migrants are being temporarily removed from the Bibby Stockholm barge after traces of Legionella bacteria were found in the on-board water system.
The BBC understands that routine testing was done before migrants moved on to the vessel, moored in Dorset. The news comes just four days after the first migrants on board were moved on to the barge, moored in Dorset.
But test results showing traces of the bacteria came back only after migrants had moved to the barge.
The Home Office said the 39 migrants living aboard were being disembarked while assessments are carried out.
Legionella is the bacteria that can cause Legionnaires disease - a type of pneumonia.Legionella is the bacteria that can cause Legionnaires disease - a type of pneumonia.
The BBC has been told that while migrants have used the vessel's water supply, none have so far shown symptoms, but have been removed from the barge as a precaution. The Home Office said the 39 migrants already aboard were being disembarked to allow assessments to be carried out.
News that migrants were brought on board before the results of the testing came back will fuel criticism from campaigners and refugee charities that have opposed the use of the Bibby Stockholm. It has not yet been revealed where those disembarking will be moved to temporarily.
The vessel - moored at Portland Port on the south coast - is part of the government's plan to "stop the boats" and deter Channel crossings by migrants. The BBC has been told that, while migrants have used the vessel's water supply, none have so far showed symptoms, but have been removed from the barge as a precaution.
The disembarkments will fuel further criticism from campaigners and refugee charities that have opposed the use of the Bibby Stockholm.
The vessel - moored at Portland Port on the south coast - is part of the government's wider plan to "stop the boats" and deter Channel crossings by migrants, who then claim asylum in the UK.
Ministers say it will help cut the cost of housing asylum seekers being accommodated in hotels and have described the barge as "perfectly acceptable", albeit basic, as a place to live in..
Inside the Bibby Stockholm asylum seekers bargeInside the Bibby Stockholm asylum seekers barge
First asylum seekers board Bibby Stockholm bargeFirst asylum seekers board Bibby Stockholm barge
Asylum seekers describe life on Bibby StockholmAsylum seekers describe life on Bibby Stockholm
But the initiative had already suffered a shaky start after delays over safety concerns and legal challenges had frustrated ministers' attempts to ramp up the numbers of people boarding the barge. However, the initiative had already suffered a shaky start after delays over safety concerns and legal challenges had frustrated ministers' attempts to ramp up the numbers of people boarding the barge.
The government eventually plans to house up to 500 men aged 18-65 on Bibby Stockholm while they await the outcome of asylum applications.The government eventually plans to house up to 500 men aged 18-65 on Bibby Stockholm while they await the outcome of asylum applications.
The BBC understands the UK Health and Security Agency has recommended additional testing of the water supply. The BBC has been told that routine testing of the boat was done before migrants moved in. But the test results showing traces of the bacteria have only come back this week.
Further testing has been done - by Dorset Council's Environmental Health team - since the bacteria were found, and it is expected that migrants will be moved back only if and when the water supply is all clear of contamination. Further testing has been done - by Dorset Council's environmental health team - and it is expected that migrants will be moved back only if and when the water supply is completely clear of contamination.
It is not yet clear where those disembarking will be moved to temporarily. Watch: Inside the housing barge after first asylum seekers board
'No direct risk to Portland' Watch: Inside the housing barge after first asylum seekers board
Government sources have said they are complying with the UKHSA guidance and have gone "above and beyond" what has been recommended by removing people from the barge temporarily. Government sources have said they are complying with the UK Health Security Agency guidance and have gone "above and beyond" what has been recommended by removing people from the barge temporarily.
A Home Office spokesman said: "No individuals on board have presented with symptoms of Legionnaires', and asylum seekers are being provided with appropriate advice and support.A Home Office spokesman said: "No individuals on board have presented with symptoms of Legionnaires', and asylum seekers are being provided with appropriate advice and support.
"The samples taken relate only to the water system on the vessel itself and therefore carry no direct risk indication for the wider community of Portland nor do they relate to fresh water entering the vessel. Legionnaires' disease does not spread from person to person.""The samples taken relate only to the water system on the vessel itself and therefore carry no direct risk indication for the wider community of Portland nor do they relate to fresh water entering the vessel. Legionnaires' disease does not spread from person to person."
Campaigners were quick to hit out at the government over the development.Campaigners were quick to hit out at the government over the development.
Alex Bailey from the Say No To The Barge campaign group blamed "poor advance planning and preparation". A charity representing asylum-seekers, Care4Calais, said its concerns over the safety of the barge had been justified. The charity is supporting a number of asylum seekers in legal challenges against being moved to the barge.
"This is just another example of the haphazard, incompetent way our government has approached this scheme from start to finish," he said. Alex Bailey from the Say No To The Barge campaign group said the news was "another example of the haphazard, incompetent way our government has approached this scheme from start to finish".
Legionella bacteria can cause a serious infection called Legionnaires' disease. Immigration minister Robert Jenrick is understood to have been chairing meetings about the situation.
The bacteria are normally found in rivers and lakes, but can also make their home - and grow in large numbers - inside water tanks and plumbing systems. Earlier this week he described accommodation on board the barge as "decent" but said there was "not a menu of options" for those seeking state-funded help as they sought asylum.
This becomes a problem when people breathe in infected water and the bacteria get into the lungs. "We've got to be fair to the taxpayers as well as decent and compassionate to the individuals concerned."
Something like a shower that creates a mist of water carrying the Legionella bacteria would pose a risk. What are the risks of Legionella bacteria?
Once in the lungs, the bacteria lead to pneumonia and symptoms can include a cough, shortness of breath and a fever. Legionella bacteria can cause a serious infection called Legionnaires' disease
People infected will need antibiotics and in more severe cases oxygen support or even machines to help them breathe. The bacteria are normally found in rivers and lakes, but can grow inside water tanks and plumbing systems
Even before news of the Legionella bacteria broke, other health concerns over the barge were emerging. Problems emerge when people breathe in infected water and the bacteria get into the lungs
Oxford-based GP Dr Dominik Metz said that he was concerned about risks to asylum seekers, after one of his patients who was being treated for latent tuberculosis was told he was being moved to the barge. Showers that create a mist of water carrying the Legionella bacteria would pose a risk
Once in the lungs, the bacteria lead to pneumonia and symptoms can include a cough, shortness of breath and a fever
People infected will need antibiotics and, in more severe cases, oxygen support
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Related Topics
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