NGO warns that 3 in 10 migrants at Mexico’s southern border test positive for STDs

Tapachula, Mexico, March 3 (EFE).- Three out of 10 migrants at Mexico’s southern border tested positive for syphilis or another sexually transmitted disease, the “Elisa Martínez Street Assistance Brigade” organization warned Sunday after conducting tests in the area.

Cristian Gómez, director of the organization in Tapachula, on Mexico’s border with Guatemala, revealed that they have detected a significant outbreak of syphilis, for which they are trying to provide primary care.

“We are inviting those who have been diagnosed to bring their partner so they can both be treated,” he said, adding that his organization is testing for both HIV and syphilis, but “thank God we have not detected HIV.” Rosemberg López, president of “A Friendly Hand in the Fight Against AIDS,” admitted that the outlook is not encouraging, especially because of the high number of young people passing through.

“For this reason, when we have meetings with the Mexican Commission for Refugee Aid and the National Institute of Migration, we ask them to get involved in the issues of prevention and providing information to migrants, because there are young people who engage in sexual practices during their journey,” he said.