Tuberculosis, migration, and medical examination: lessons from history

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Abstract
The health screening of migrants, asylum seekers, and other entrants to the UK is currently high on the political and public health agenda. Two features of this debate are worth highlighting—the focus on single diseases such as tuberculosis, and the emphasis on the experience of Australia. In February 2005, the government announced proposals to implement existing powers by screening visa applicants for tuberculosis on "high risk" routes, and requiring those diagnosed to seek treatment before they would be permitted entry to the UK.1 The Conservative party has also announced that visas would be denied to prospective migrants in whom tuberculosis was detected. Michael Howard stated that "the British people deserve the best standards of public health. We need to control who is coming to Britain to ensure that they are not a public health risk and to protect access to the NHS