The United States says it has temporarily suspended the resettlement of at least 6,000 Hmong refugees from Thailand, after at least a score of refugees already in the U.S. were diagnosed with tuberculosis. At least 20 refugees infected with the disease are in the western U.S. state of California.
Health officials say 11 of the patients are children. A handful of other cases were located in the midwestern states of Minnesota and Wisconsin. The U.S. has resettled at least 9,000 Hmong refugees living in the Wat Tham Krabok camp since June of last year.
Officials say they will begin enhanced medical treatment and screenings at the camp. The suspension is expected to last for up to six months.