Foreign workers in Bahrain are more likely to have tuberculosis than Bahrainis, according to experts.

Health Ministry statistics for the last 10 years indicate that there are up to 26 cases per 100,000 foreign arrivals, said a report in the Gulf Daily News (GDN), our sister publication.

This compares with just five cases for every 100,000 Bahrainis and illustrates the need for strict screening of the expat workforce, said the Health Ministry's National Committee to Combat Tuberculosis chairman Dr Saeed Al Saffar.

"This has been the case since 2005 and invariably it ranged from 24 to 26 cases per 100,000 foreign workers," he said.

"The rate of incidence of tuberculosis among Bahrainis has dropped by half since 2005 to reach five cases per 100,000 residents in 2014, while the ratio is still high among the domestic working class.

"The figures remained 26 cases (for every 100,000 expats) both in 2013 and 2014 and this calls for stricter health screening procedures to make sure that we do not allow the infection to pass on to Bahrainis.

"The screening is done both at the ports of exit and entry and in Bahrain we are strict, but it is wise to be more alert because most of the time domestic workers are in close touch with the family - including children and the elderly."

Health Ministry anti-infection department chief Dr Adel Al Sayyad highlighted the danger of the disease spreading through domestic workers.

"The rapid movement of individuals between countries enhances the chances of the disease spreading," he said. - TradeArabia News Service