Social Policy Minister John Dalli told Parliament yesterday that the Health Promotion Department does not keep records of the incidence of Hepatitis B and C in illegal immigrants. The health authorities do not feel there are valid indications for illegal immigrants to be routinely tested for HIV, as is done for other infectious diseases.

Between 2004 (when HIV was made a notifiable disease) and 2008 there were 41 cases of HIV in illegal immigrants: one in 2004, six in 2005, 10 in 2006, nine in 2007 and 15 last year. The Health Promotion Department has no records as to whether these people are still in Malta.

Mr Dalli was answering questions by Silvio Parnis (PL).

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