- The Washington Times - Sunday, July 13, 2014

A Border Patrol agent is expected to have chronic asthmatic symptoms for life after he reportedly contracted bacterial pneumonia while processing illegal immigrants in Laredo, Texas.

The agent, who was not named, has been hospitalized for seven days with bacterial pneumonia. The illness has caused the agent’s throat to swell so badly that he can barely speak, National Review Online reported.

“It’s a very traumatic experience,” said Jarrad Seely, vice president of the National Border Patrol Council Local 2455.

Mr. Seely said it’s too soon to tell if the agent will be able to make a full recovery and return to work. The agent was reportedly healthy prior to processing the immigrants.

“Our agents have been getting sick more often than before with flus and congestion and a whole bunch of respiratory illnesses,” said Hector Garza, secretary and treasurer of NBPC 2455, National Review reported.

“The processing room was severely overcrowded and that just made [it] the perfect breeding ground for these diseases.”

Mr. Seely said the Laredo sector has recently had illegal immigrants arrive with active cases of tuberculosis, scabies, lice and chicken pox, National Review reported.

• Jessica Chasmar can be reached at jchasmar@washingtontimes.com.

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