Indian Man with Tuberculosis Worked in Latvia’s Food Industry Until He Collapsed

An Indian man working in Latvia’s food industry collapsed and was taken to hospital in serious condition. The country’s Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (SPKC) has launched an epidemiological investigation.

Meanwhile, Latvian health officials are reassuring customers of a kebab shop. They explain that tuberculosis does not spread through food. It spreads mainly through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks.

However, the incident has raised questions about health checks for food workers. Did the man undergo a medical examination? Did he have a residence permit? Latvian authorities have not released all the details.

Latvia is among the EU countries with a relatively high tuberculosis rate. More than 300 cases are registered there each year. This year, doctors diagnosed tuberculosis in 16 foreign nationals who sought medical help. Doctors often detect the disease at a late stage.

The number of people who cannot afford medical care or lack legal status is unknown.

This raises an important question for Moldova: what do we know about the people who come here in search of a better life?

The incident in Latvia is a warning, the author argues. It highlights concerns about migration, medical checks, and public health. Workers from India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka help fill labor shortages. They work in construction, food service, and delivery. But the article also questions whether health checks are sufficient.

Tuberculosis in Moldova: The Latest Figures

Moldova already faces a serious tuberculosis problem. In 2025, the country recorded 1,734 new cases and relapses.

Moldova has about 600,000 more residents than Latvia. Yet its tuberculosis rate is much higher, according to the article. The reported rate is 60.7 cases per 100,000 people.

Drug-resistant tuberculosis adds to the problem. More than a quarter of new cases reportedly involve forms that are difficult and expensive to treat.

Moldova is not included in the EU’s tuberculosis statistics. The author argues that, if it were included, the country would rank among the worst performers. It could even surpass Latvia’s reported annual total of around 300 cases. However, the number of cases alone does not show the full picture. Population size and case rates must also be considered.

So, how many cases come from countries where tuberculosis is more common?

According to Radio Moldova, more than 5,500 foreign nationals officially work in Moldova. During the first six months of 2026, many workers arrived from Nepal, Bangladesh, Uzbekistan, India, and Sri Lanka.

Former education minister Corneliu Popovici cited another figure. He said that around 12,350 citizens of India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Uzbekistan received Moldovan work permits in 2025 and early 2026.

These figures raise questions about public health policy. However, they do not show how many migrants have tuberculosis. That would require reliable screening data.

Other Diseases That Require Attention

Tuberculosis is not the only health concern mentioned in the article. Some parts of South Asia also have higher rates of diseases that are less common in Moldova. These include malaria, typhoid fever, hepatitis, and parasitic infections.

Malaria cases in Moldova have so far been classified as imported. The article reports five such cases in 2025 and two in 2026. Still, imported cases do not automatically mean that the disease will spread locally.

The Anopheles mosquito, which can transmit malaria, is present in Moldova. The author also points to unusually high temperatures and increased migration. He warns that malaria could become a local public health concern. However, this outcome is not inevitable. Local transmission depends on several factors, including the presence of infected people and suitable conditions for transmission.

Hepatitis A is another concern. According to TV8, Moldova recorded 10 cases this year. That is twice the number reported during the same period last year.

Hepatitis A can spread through contaminated food, water, or hands. This leads to another question: are food workers receiving the required medical checks?

The article asks whether the people preparing shawarma or delivering pizza have undergone proper screening. Yet it provides no evidence that the worker in Latvia infected anyone through food.

Are Migrant Workers Properly Screened?

The article argues that health checks and legal status need closer attention.

Workers with legal employment status are generally expected to have documents and employment contracts. They should also be subject to relevant state checks. However, Deputy Head of the General Inspectorate for Migration Cornel Triboi reportedly said that some workers do not follow the rules.

Since the start of 2026, authorities have issued 138 administrative offense reports. They have also deported 19 people, according to media reports.

The situation involving undocumented migrants is less clear. Some people may enter on tourist visas and remain after their visas expire. Others may cross the border outside official checkpoints.

The article claims that these people do not undergo medical examinations for tuberculosis, hepatitis, or other diseases. It also says that they may find work in construction, cafes, and warehouses without health checks.

However, the article does not provide data showing how many undocumented migrants have infectious diseases. Nor does it establish that migrants as a group pose a greater health risk.

The case in Latvia nevertheless raises a practical question. Are the rules for medical screening being followed in workplaces where public health matters?

The Indian man who collapsed had been working in the food industry. Did he have a residence permit? Had he passed a medical examination? Latvian media reports say the SPKC has not disclosed further details.

One thing is clear: his illness came to light after he collapsed. Without that incident, his tuberculosis might not have been detected at that time. However, the available information does not establish whether he had previously been screened or whether customers were exposed to infection.

How Many Foreign Nationals Live in Moldova?

Moldova has official figures for foreign residents, but the number of undocumented migrants remains unknown.

According to the General Inspectorate for Migration, more than 23,800 foreign nationals hold valid documents in Moldova. Of these, 5,586 have the right to work.

However, these figures do not reveal how many people live in the country without valid documents. They also do not show how many foreign workers have undergone medical screening.

Former minister Corneliu Popovici has warned that Moldova risks losing its identity and security in exchange for short-term economic gains.

“Moldova risks losing its identity and security in exchange for short-term economic decisions,” he said.

The author argues that the issue goes beyond culture and language. He believes that public health must also be part of the debate about labor migration.

Meanwhile, Moldovan officials continue to discuss grants and efforts to fill labor shortages. In Latvia, an Indian worker with tuberculosis has been hospitalized after collapsing.

The author concludes that this is not only a Latvian problem. It is a challenge for every country that recruits workers from abroad. Governments need clear rules, effective medical screening where required, and reliable public health data.

At the same time, health risks should be assessed through evidence, not nationality. Effective screening and timely diagnosis protect both workers and the wider public.