Cases of a potentially deadly infection have been reported at an asylum centre centre.

The Home Office has confirmed that diphtheria has occurred at the processing centre at Manston, Thanet.

The highly contagious infection affects the nose, throat and sometimes the skin.

It is rare in the UK, but can be caught by travelling to some other parts of the world.

It can lead to difficulty breathing, heart rhythm problems, and even death if not treated quickly.

It says all cases have been treated with antibiotics and isolation guidance has been followed.

A Home Office spokesman said tonight: “We are aware of a very small number of cases of diphtheria reported at Manston.

"Full medical guidance and protocols have been followed.

“We take the safety and welfare of those in our care extremely seriously and are working closely with health professionals and the UK Health Security Agency to ensure the instances are contained and to support the individuals affected.”

The Home Office says it provides 24/7 health facilities at Manston plus contingency plans to deal with situations such as illness from communicable diseases.

It says it has worked closely with groups such as local authorities and health professionals since the asylum processing centre opened at the start of this year.

According to the NHS website diphtheria is a highly contagious infection that affects the nose, throat, and sometimes the skin.