Tijuana’s authorities are increasingly concerned about the spread of diseases in the city, as 5,000 members of the migrant “caravan” camp in temporary shelters, awaiting the chance to apply for asylum in the United States.

The government of Baja California – the state in which the Mexican border city lies – has treated hundreds of migrants for respiratory infections and other ailments.

On Friday they reported treating 818 respiratory infections and providing 1,286 general medical consultations to members of the migrant caravan, who are living inside a converted sports centre in downtown Tijuana.

Inside the shelter, Paula Cortes, 21, and her family huddled around a 2-year-old baby Isaac, who lay feverish, listless and covered with blankets.

“He’s very, very sick,” said Ms Cortes, speaking to the San Diego Union-Tribune. “I’m too worried right now but they won’t send a doctor in here. They told us to take him outside to the medical tent.”