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  • H1N1 in Jails, Prison

    In New York City, Rikers Island
    4 confirmed cases of H1N1 and 4 probable.
    May 19, 2009 12:30 pm US/Eastern
    Prison Outbreak? 4 More Have Swine Flu At RikersFour inmates at Rikers Island have been confirmed to have the swine flu and four more are considered probable for the virus, Mayor Michael Bloomberg confirmed Tuesday morning.

    "Correction and health officials are monitoring the situation and preparing to implement additional health screening and where needed, isolation of ill inmates," Bloomberg said. "It is in some senses easier to control because obviously the prisoners can't leave on the other hand, it is also a confined area where we really don't have the choice of moving people out and asking them to stay home."
    Crosslink with first case report by Evelyn on May 17
    Thought has a dual purpose in ethics: to affirm life, and to lead from ethical impulses to a rational course of action - Teaching Reverence for Life -Albert Schweitzer. JT

  • #2
    Re: H1N1 in Jails, Prison

    From Hawkeye
    Another crosslink


    Secondary (behavioral impact) of flu pandemic in prisons,
    Mexican inmates riot over visitation restrictions.
    Thought has a dual purpose in ethics: to affirm life, and to lead from ethical impulses to a rational course of action - Teaching Reverence for Life -Albert Schweitzer. JT

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: H1N1 in Jails, Prison

      Cross link from CDC Guidelines posted by FrenchieGirl.



      Interim Guidance for Correctional and Detention Facilities on Novel Influenza A (H1N1) Virus
      May 24, 2009 6:00 PM ET
      This document provides interim guidance specific for correctional facilities during the outbreak of novel influenza A (H1N1) virus to ensure continuation of essential public services and protection of the health and safety of inmates, staff and visitors. Recommendations may need to be revised as more information becomes available.
      Background
      Correctional institutions pose special risks and considerations due to the nature of their unique environment. Inmates are in mandatory custody and options are limited for isolation and removal of ill persons from the environment. The workforce must be maintained and options are limited for work alternatives (e.g., work from home, reduced or alternate schedules, etc.). In addition, many inmates and workforce may have medical conditions that increase their risk of influenza-related complications. The focus of this guidance is on general preventive measures for institutions, risk reduction of introduction of the virus into institutions, rapid detection of persons with novel influenza A (H1N1) infections, and management and isolation of identified cases. In this document, institution refers to staff, inmates, and visitors. Correctional facilities should contact and collaborate with their state, local, tribal and territorial health departments for more specific guidance.
      ....
      Thought has a dual purpose in ethics: to affirm life, and to lead from ethical impulses to a rational course of action - Teaching Reverence for Life -Albert Schweitzer. JT

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: H1N1 in Jails, Prison

        Source: http://www.myfoxny.com/dpp/health/sw..._Rikers_Island

        Swine Flu Sweeps Rikers
        Island

        VIDEO REPORT
        Updated: Thursday, 04 Jun 2009, 10:52 PM EDT
        Published : Thursday, 04 Jun 2009, 10:51 PM EDT

        * Dick Brennan

        MYFOXNY.COM EXCLUSIVE - Fox 5 interviewed a Rikers Island correction officer who has one of the toughest jobs in the city -- guarding the meanest inmates you could find. But now there's the unseen enemy -- swine flu -- and it's sweeping the jail.

        "They shoot you with urine, feces," the officer says, referring to inmates. He worries that he could bring home the virus to his family.

        The spread is frightening too: 10 new swine cases confirmed Thursday, 12 more possible cases. So far, 64 inmates infected, plus three correction officers and 2 others who work there.


        Officers are concerned the city isn't doing enough to protect them and their families, but the health department says it is working very hard to fight the outbreak.

        Comment


        • #5
          Re: H1N1 in Jails, Prison

          xpost from Virginia forum






          Three have swine flu at Chesterfield juvenile correctional facility

          Published: June 4, 2009

          Eleven residents of Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center in Chesterfield County have been isolated in housing on the campus after three were diagnosed with the H1N1 swine-flu virus.

          Two others with flulike symptoms, one of them with an underlying health issue, are receiving care in a central infirmary on the campus, said a spokesman for the Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice, which operates the facility.

          "What we are doing right now is trying to do everything we can to limit the exposure residents might have to the illness," department spokesman Bruce Twyman said.

          Dr. William Nelson, Chesterfield Health District director, said the disease is causing mild sickness. "They are healthy, well and recovering," Nelson said. "Nobody is hospitalized. Nobody is severely sick."

          Twyman said the outbreak ocg

          6

          curred in a housing unit with 24 residents. The others did not show symptoms and were allowed to remain in the original housing unit.

          "For the next seven days, we will curtail visitation, working on essential contact only," Twyman said.

          Non-essential visitors are being asked to stay away from the entire campus.

          "We don't want any additional problems brought in while we are still trying to get a handle on this. We don't want to expose the residents or staff," Twyman said.

          He said a couple of staff members with flulike symptoms are being given the antiviral drug Tamiflu, as are the sick residents.

          The facility, located at 1900 Chatsworth Ave., has 175 residents, he said.

          Nelson said the first case showed up last week and that more appeared during the weekend.

          "It's clear we have a cluster. . . . We are not going to test everybody," Nelson said.

          "The facility is right on top of it. They did an excellent job of keeping the ill away from the healthy," he added. "People who have medical conditions that would put them at risk for complications are being preventively treated with Tamiflu."

          As of yesterday, the Virginia Department of Health reported 29 confirmed cases of the swine flu, while the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which reports confirmed and probable cases, listed Virginia's count as 36.

          Swine-flu virus, like regular seasonal-flu virus, is spread from person to person. A sick person coughs or sneezes, and people around them may inhale the airborne droplets and get sick. People also can get infected by touching items contaminated with flu virus and then touching their nose or mouth.

          On Tuesday, state health officials said the death of a Chesapeake woman with underlying health issues was the first in the state linked to the H1N1 flu. Nationally, the CDC as of yesterday reported more than 11,000 confirmed and probable cases and 17 deaths, not including the Virginia death.

          There is evidence the virus is making more young people sick, perhaps because they do not have any underlying immunity from previous exposure to similar flu strains. Normally, seasonal flu sickens more older people because they have compromised immunity.

          Twyman said parents of the youths are being notified.

          "We are doing everything we think is prudent and everything health officials are advising us to do to make sure we do control it," Twyman said.

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: H1N1 in Jails, Prison

            Source: http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wi...,1775389.story

            Inmate at Syracuse jail confirmed with swine flu

            June 5, 2009

            SYRACUSE, N.Y. - Officials say a jail inmate in Syracuse has the swine flu, and that's causing concern among deputies and inmates that they could be exposed.

            Jail officials say the 34-year-old male inmate remains in the Onondaga County Justice Center's general population. But he's only allowed out of his cell when other inmates are in theirs.

            His illness is one of 49 confirmed cases in the county, which has so far recorded the state's only H1N1-related death outside of New York City.

            Chief Custody Deputy Richard Carbery says the jail is following the federal Centers for Disease Control's protocols to keep inmates and deputies safe from exposure.

            State health officials reported 866 confirmed cases as of Thursday. Seven deaths in New York City have been linked to the infection.

            ___

            Information from: The Syracuse Post-Standard, www.syracuse.com

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: H1N1 in Jails, Prison

              Source: http://www.wcsh6.com/news/local/stor...105594&catid=2

              2 Cases Of H1N1 Confirmed At Cumberland County (Maine) Jail


              Quantcast

              PORTLAND (NEWS CENTER)--Both are federal prisoners who were transferred to the Cumberland County jail from a jail in Boston.

              One of the inmates, who is 22 years old, came down with flu- like symptoms and a high fever shortly after arriving at the jail. The other inmate, who is 41-years old, also came from the Suffolk County Jail in Massachusetts. His case was confirmed by the Maine CDC Friday afternoon.


              Both were being held in the jail's medium security unit. They are now being treated in isolation in the jail's medical unit, and jail officials say they are responding well to medical tratment.

              Sheriff Mark Dion says the medical staff is taking extra precautions to protect the rest of the jail population.

              NEWS CENTER

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: H1N1 in Jails, Prison

                Source: http://www.wpix.com/news/local/wpix-...,3222850.story


                Brazil: 2 bodies found near jet crash site, along with suitcase holding Air France ticket
                Even The Law Can't Avoid Possible Swine Flu
                Bronx District Attorney officials say four prosecutors may have swine flu

                By MIKE GRAHAM | wpix.com

                June 6, 2009
                BRONX, N.Y. (WPIX) - Clearly the swine flu knows no legal boundaries. Bronx District Attorney officials say four assistant prosecutors may have contracted the virus. The New York Post reports a memo sent to workers this week said the employees who work in the Criminal Court Bureau are home and being treated by their physicians.

                Doctors reportedly have put the employees on Tamiflu, though none have been positively diagnosed with swine flu.

                Last month Rikers Island inmates started coming down with the flu and courthouse staffers say that is when precautions should have been taken since those inmates are arraigned in the criminal court building.

                New York City now has 8 recorded deaths from the disease, the latest being a 65 year old with a pre-existing health condition.

                Copyright ? 2009, WPIX-TV

                Comment


                • #9
                  Re: H1N1 in Jails, Prison

                  Source: http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/hourlyupdate/296723.php

                  Flu-like symptoms quarantine inmates in Tucson federal prison
                  Arizona Daily Star
                  Tucson, Arizona | Published: 06.11.2009

                  Inmates at the medium-security Federal Correctional Institution were put in quarantine Thursday after 12 inmates developed flu-like symptoms, a prison spokeswoman said.

                  One of the prisoners at the facility on Wilmot Road south of Interstate 10 tested positive for the flu, said Anita Honeker, a prison spokeswoman.
                  The results have been sent out and will be tested for swine flu, also known as H1N1, Honeker said.

                  Prison officials should have the results next week, she said.

                  All inmates have been restricted to their housing units and visitations have been suspended, she said.

                  Food services also have been restricted to the housing units, she said.
                  The quarantine will remain in place until prison officials receive the test results, she said.

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Re: H1N1 in Jails, Prison

                    Source: http://www.miamiherald.com/news/brea...y/1094213.html

                    (Florida)
                    3 at Krome Detention Center test positive for swine flu
                    BY FRED TASKER
                    ftasker@MiamiHerald.com

                    Three detainees at Krome Detention Center have tested positive for the swine flu -- marking the county's first ''cluster'' of cases.

                    Eleven other inmates at the immigration detention facility in West Miami-Dade have flu-like symptoms, but can't be tested for H1N1 because they already had been treated with anti-viral medicines, which invalidates such tests, said Lillian Rivera, director of the Miami-Dade Health Department.

                    ''We're working on the assumption that we have the virus there,'' she said Friday. ``Krome is working closely with our medical advisors to be sure the issue is handled within CDC [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] guidelines.


                    ``We're giving guidance [at Krome] on how to manage isolation, to make sure they're hand-washing and what to do with anti-virals.''

                    A cluster is when an illness spreads rapidly among a group of people in close physical contact with each other.

                    The patients were tested Thursday, and the results came back Friday morning.

                    The county is not declaring an emergency or requesting a quarantine, Rivera said. And it doesn't have authority to ask Krome not to release the detainees when appropriate.

                    ''But once they get into the community, we must give guidance that they're sent home and stay home,'' Rivera said.

                    As of Thursday, Miami-Dade had 111 confirmed cases of H1N1 flu. Broward had 67 and Florida had 247. So far most cases have been relatively mild.


                    Krome officials could not be reached immediately for comment.

                    On Thursday, Krome spokeswoman Nicole Navas said the facility has its own plans to manage communicable diseases but also is cooperating with Miami-Dade officials.

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: H1N1 in Jails, Prison

                      Source: http://www.whptv.com/news/local/stor...ipdyLo8Zw.cspx


                      York County Prison (Pennsylvania)has confirmed case of swine flu
                      Contributor: Kellie German
                      Email: news@cbs21.com
                      Last Update: 4:02 pm

                      The warden at the York County Prison says there is one confirmed case of swine flu in the facility.

                      The prison also says there is one suspected case of the H1N1 virus.

                      Both inmates are immigration service detainees and are both in isolation.


                      Prison officials say they have quarantined two areas that include about 125 inmates.

                      The prison is currently examining a possible exposure of the virus in other inmates.

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Re: H1N1 in Jails, Prison



                        Update from the Miami Detention Center:

                        Five cases of swine flu A/H1N1 have now been confirmed at the Miami Krome Detention Center, a temporary detention center that houses individuals waiting for determination of their immigration status or who are scheduled for repatriation On June 12, there were three confirmed cases, although 20 other detainees who had experienced flu-like symptoms could not be tested because they had already received anti-viral treatment which would invalidate the test.

                        As a result, the decision was made by US Immigration and Customs Enforement (ICE) which operates the facility to give all 542 detainees anti-viral medication, whether they had developed symptoms or not. In addition, the facility has discontinued visits and is not releasing anyone until further notice.

                        According to a report in the Miami Herald quoting ICE spokeswoman, Nicole Navas, the detainees confirmed to have the flu are men from Jamaica, Mexico, Brazil and Peru.

                        These cases and the outbreak among Florida Boy Scouts last week represent two clusters that will raise the total numbers of cases confirmed in the state.

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Re: H1N1 in Jails, Prison

                          Source: http://www.abc4.com/content/news/slc...q5FzutsBQ.cspx

                          Utah State Prison inmates quarantined for possible swine flu cases
                          Last Update: 10:26 am

                          DRAPER, Utah (ABC 4 News) - A 50-bed dormitory unit at the Utah State Prison is under quarantine as medical officials await the results of tests for the H1N1 virus.

                          Three male inmates from the Promontory housing facility have been tested for the virus, also known as swine flu. Results from those tests, which were delivered directly to the Utah Department of Health, are expected within five days.

                          Prison medical staff became aware of the potential illnesses late Wednesday when the inmates reported experiencing flu-like symptoms, including sore throat, fever and a cough. The three men are housed in the same dormitory. Prison officials immediately placed the entire unit on quarantine, as the men have had close contact with their fellow dorm mates.

                          Three other inmates at the Draper prison are suspected to have the virus. They have been isolated and are under observation in the prison?s infirmary.

                          One inmate at the Central Utah Correctional Facility in Gunnison has exhibited flu-like symptoms. That offender has also isolated and was tested for the H1N1 virus, and the test delivered to the state lab.

                          At this point, no Utah state inmates have been confirmed to have the H1N1 virus.

                          The H1N1 virus has a 43 percent transmission rate for those living in the same household.


                          The Department of Corrections is working closely with the Utah Department of Health and the Salt Lake County Health Department to identify possible cases of H1N1 inside the state prisons.

                          The Promontory housing facility is a 400-bed programming unit at the Draper prison. Movement into and out of the facility has been limited to necessary medical transports only. Court hearings and Board of Pardons and Parole hearings for men housed in the unit will be rescheduled, and all visiting and programming at the facility has been cancelled until further notice. The remaining 350 offenders will be allowed to participate in outside recreation.

                          Visiting in other areas of the Utah State Prison will continue at this time. However, all incoming visitors will continue to be screened for flu-like symptoms and those experiencing any symptoms will not be allowed to visit.


                          Although none of the suspected H1N1 cases have been confirmed, Corrections officials are prepared for the possibility of a more widespread outbreak of the virus at the Utah State Prison. Officers and medical staff who come into contact with possibly infected offenders must wear masks at all times, and Corrections staff who feel ill have been instructed to stay home. Additionally, housing units where offenders have exhibited symptoms will be disinfected, with special attention paid to doorknobs, restrooms and common areas. Offenders and staff are also being reminded to be vigilant about practicing good hygiene habits and hand washing.

                          ----Information from: Utah Department of Corrections

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Re: H1N1 in Jails, Prison

                            Source: http://www.baltimoresun.com/health/b...,0,64215.story

                            3 teens in city juvenile center have swine flu, state says
                            18 others are reporting flu-like symptoms
                            By Kelly Brewington | kelly.brewington@baltsun.com
                            June 19, 2009

                            Three teenagers at the Baltimore City Juvenile Justice Center have swine flu, state health officials confirmed Thursday, prompting precautions to limit the spread of the virus.

                            Another 18 youths and two staff members at the downtown facility are reporting flu-like symptoms. All 21 teens are being treated with antiviral medicine. The sick youths have been separated from the general population and placed in two 12-bed dormitories, which are self-contained and have their own bathroom facilities, said Tammy Brown, a spokeswoman for the center.

                            The sick staff members have been told to stay home.

                            Justice center officials called the parents of sickened children and sent letters to others notifying them of the outbreak, Brown said. None of the youths, whose ages range from 14 to 18, has been hospitalized. Masks and gloves have been made available to try to stem transmission.


                            State health officials stressed that the virus is no more dangerous than seasonal flu and said they expected cases to crop up in institutional settings, as cases spread statewide. Officials have confirmed 305 cases of the flu known as H1N1 in Maryland. Cases have been mild, and there have been no deaths.

                            "Any time you have people together, especially when you have people coming in and out of the general community - where this thing is being passed around - you have the likelihood of this developing," said Dr. Clifford Mitchell, director of environmental health coordination for the state health department. "This is not a surprise to anybody."

                            The institution, which houses 123 juveniles awaiting court dates or placement in other facilities, is limiting visitors, Brown said.

                            "Any parent that expresses concern and wants to see their child, we're certainly not going to prohibit that," she said. "But we are trying to limit the number of people who come into the infected area, for obvious reasons."

                            Juvenile justice officials are making prescriptions for antiviral medications available to any staff member who wants one and the institution will reimburse the cost. Taking antivirals, such as Tamiflu, to try to prevent the illness, doesn't always work, said Mitchell. It is typically recommended only for people who have been exposed to the virus or are at risk for complications if they acquire it, such as people with compromised immune systems, he said.

                            The diagnoses come a month after the first cases of the virus in Baltimore were confirmed.

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Re: H1N1 in Jails, Prison

                              Source: http://www.abc4.com/content/news/slc...f7Np_2Ocg.cspx


                              UPDATE: Swine flu tests negative; Utah State Prison quarantine lifted

                              Last Update: 4:04 pm
                              Swine flu (ABC News)

                              DRAPER, Utah (ABC 4 News) - Tests for several Utah State Prison inmates suspected of having the H1N1 virus have returned negative results.

                              The results prompted Corrections officials to lift the quarantine on a dormitory in the Promontory housing facility this afternoon. The quarantine was enacted on June 17 as a precaution after several men in the 50-bed dormitory began exhibiting flu-like symptoms.

                              The H1N1 virus, also known as the swine flu, has a 43 percent transmission rate for those living in the same household.


                              Medical officials are still awaiting the results of tests for the H1N1 virus on one other Utah State Prison inmate, who has been housed in the infirmary after arriving at the Draper facility with flu-like symptoms. A final offender, currently housed at the Central Utah Correctional Facility in Gunnison, also tested negative for the H1N1 virus.

                              The Department of Corrections will continue to work closely with the Utah Department of Health and the Salt Lake County Health Department to identify possible cases of H1N1 inside the state prisons.

                              Visiting at the Utah State Prison and Central Utah Correctional Facility have resumed normal operations. However, all incoming visitors will continue to be screened for flu-like symptoms and those experiencing any symptoms will not be allowed to visit.

                              Other services, including programming and court and state Board of Pardons and Parole hearings, have also returned to normal operations.

                              ----Information from: Utah Department of Corrections

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