U.S. Targets Incoming Summer Laborers In “Flu Prevention Campaign”

U.S. health and immigration groups are launching outreach campaigns to try and prevent even more flu-carriers coming across in the flood of summer laborers. Sensible precaution or flimsy excuse to stigmatize immigrants?

In censuses from recent years an estimated 100,000 migrant workers have traveled to the U.S. during the summer months. This year, public health task-forces are “fanning out” along the U.S.-Mexico border, hoping to teach migrant laborers hygienic precautions and to screen them for the swine flu virus. Officials are worried that incoming workers might be incubating the flu and that if they do become sick they won’t go to a hospital for fear of being deported. The director of public health for Fresno county, California, voiced his fear, “People may not have a land line, hot water or Internet access, and no regular doctor.” They also may not have fair pay or basic rights but we guess that’s less important, since it’s not a virus threatening Americans.

The groups involved in the prevention campaign range from public health organizations to Mexican consulates to Anglican church groups, but they all urge for a swift, focused outreach to the migrant population. So what kind of educational materials might they be handing out? Here’s what came out of our dark, twisted little imagination:

Or perhaps:

But maybe we’re just grumpy jerks who don’t believe in altruism?

Health officials in US warn migrants about flu [AP]