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Source: http://www.pnj.com/article/20090826/NEWS01/90826011
Inmates tested for swine flu, whooping cough
Sean Dugas ? sdugas@pnj.com ? August 26, 2009
Escambia County Sheriff?s Office officials said four of 40 inmates at the county jail who showed possible symptoms of either swine flu or whopping cough were tested today for the diseases.
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Sheriff?s spokeswoman Melissa Aiken said no cases of either disease were confirmed as of 4:30 p.m.
However, as a precaution against the spread of infection, visitation at the jail has been canceled.
?We wanted to be on the front end of it before people started calling wondering why they can?t see their relatives,? Aiken said.
Results of the test ? which include a swab of a person?s nasal passages ? are expected later today, Aiken said, although she couldn?t specify a time.
The samples to be tested were shipped to an state laboratory for analysis, Aiken said. But neither Aiken nor other sheriff?s officials she spoke with knew to which laboratory the samples were sent, Aiken said.
As an additional precaution, all 40 inmates with possible symptoms will be isolated until further notice. Medical masks also have been provide for officers at the jail, Aiken said.
?Hand sanitizer was also put in the jail,? she said.
Despite the denial of visitation, an inmate?s attorney will be allowed access to the jail but will be required to take precautions to avoid potential contamination.
Inmates tested for swine flu, whooping cough
Sean Dugas ? sdugas@pnj.com ? August 26, 2009
Escambia County Sheriff?s Office officials said four of 40 inmates at the county jail who showed possible symptoms of either swine flu or whopping cough were tested today for the diseases.
Advertisement
Sheriff?s spokeswoman Melissa Aiken said no cases of either disease were confirmed as of 4:30 p.m.
However, as a precaution against the spread of infection, visitation at the jail has been canceled.
?We wanted to be on the front end of it before people started calling wondering why they can?t see their relatives,? Aiken said.
Results of the test ? which include a swab of a person?s nasal passages ? are expected later today, Aiken said, although she couldn?t specify a time.
The samples to be tested were shipped to an state laboratory for analysis, Aiken said. But neither Aiken nor other sheriff?s officials she spoke with knew to which laboratory the samples were sent, Aiken said.
As an additional precaution, all 40 inmates with possible symptoms will be isolated until further notice. Medical masks also have been provide for officers at the jail, Aiken said.
?Hand sanitizer was also put in the jail,? she said.
Despite the denial of visitation, an inmate?s attorney will be allowed access to the jail but will be required to take precautions to avoid potential contamination.