The US Embassy in Manila has begun an awareness campaign about Tuberculosis (TB). About fifteen percent of all visa applications are denied or delayed as a result of high TB numbers. TB is the number one medical reason for the denial or delay of a visa application. All immigrant applicants must prove that they have been immunized against the major communicable diseases.
According to the Embassy, the Philippines has the ninth-highest TB rate in the world. TB is the sixth leading cause of death. About one hundred Filipinos die of the disease every day. If you are living in Manila and plan on immigrating to the US, please be sure to have your immunization records up-to-date. Indeed, even if you do not plan on coming to the US, it is a good idea to protect yourself.
The Embassy has posted a video on its Facebook page by Project Blue Balloons, which highlights this tragic disease.
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