Australian Immigration Issues At Christmas Island

In a recent report, typhoid infections have affected several detainees currently located at Christmas Island Detention Center

. This is but the latest issue facing Australian immigration authorities, as they have temporarily halted transfers from this detention center to others to prevent an outbreak in other locations.

The source of the typhoid infections have been pinpointed to two Indonesian crew members from different asylum seeker vessels. According to a released statement from the Australian Immigration Department, "Two recent (irregular maritime arrivals) on Christmas Island have been diagnosed with typhoid fever. Both have been isolated and they are receiving specialist medical treatment."

It added, "We are working with the public health authorities to minimize any possible risk of the disease's transmission and that included identifying clients and staff that might have had contact with the affected individuals."

Other infectious diseases that have been found on Christmas Island include tuberculosis and other skin infections. The last case of typhoid fever on the island was recorded back in 2001. This is a highly contagious disease that is spread through contaminated water or accidental ingestion of the feces of a carrier. This disease causes major complications when left untreated.

As a result, the authorities of the detention center have suspended all transfers from and to the island. Community visits as well have been recalled while detained children have been pulled out of school as a precaution. For its part, the federal government have assured local residents that the risk of contamination is negligible but precautions still need to be undertaken.

Officially, a statement released said "The Indian Ocean Territories Health Services advises that the risk of typhoid being passed on to the Christmas Island community is extremely low."

Typhoid is an infection disease caused by a germ that results in gastroenteritis, confusion, rashes and other complications. The illness stays with the individual for about a month and has been a rare disease in Australia. Most often, Australians or other local populace contract the disease overseas. In this case, the crew members had contracted the illness from their country of origin.

The suspension of transfers from Christmas Island can further complicate issues with Australian immigration authorities. This comes after Amnesty International found many issues with the current detention policies being practiced and sent a strongly worded recommendation to the Australian federal government to close down several detention centers.

With the quarantine and suspension of transfers, many pundits believe that the situation is ripe for riots similar to what had occurred back in March 2011. The current headcount in the detention center is 1,500 and is expected to rise quickly with the influx of boat people seeking greener pastures in Australia.

by: Bobby Castro

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