Parochial view

IN your report of the the TB outbreak in Cork (August 24), the president of the Irish Thoracic Society, Dr Terry O’Connor, said there should be a voluntary testing and treatment facility for immigrants.

While he acknowledged the contribution of immigrants to this country, I feel his substantive suggestion is somewhat parochial and insular.

TB, unfortunately, is prevalent in Ireland without any significant immigrant influence. Indeed the BCG vaccine was unavailable in Munster from 1972 up to very recently because of health board cutbacks during that period.

We should look to ourselves and not cast an unnecessary spotlight on our visitors.

Patrick O’Connor

Maglin House

Farranlea Road

Victoria Cross

Cork