H1N1 flu virus spreads to prison in California

[Shiloh]

Source: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-05/04/content_11307368.htm

H1N1 flu virus spreads to prison in California
www.chinaview.cn 2009-05-04 08:53:02



LOS ANGELES, May 3 (Xinhua) -- California health authorities confirmed the first case of influenza A/H1N1 at a state prison on Sunday, indicating the continuing spread of the virus.

As a result, visiting hours and other activities at the Centinela State Prison, some 130 miles (about 200 km) southeast of Los Angeles, have been suspended, the state Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (DCR) said.

The inmate, who is only mildly affected, has been isolated and is getting appropriate medical care, the DCR said in a statement.

The illness was not far from the five other confirmed H1N1 flu cases in Imperial County near the U.S.-Mexican border, according to the statement.

Meanwhile, prison officials affirmed in a news release that they take the outbreak of the flu behind cell doors "very seriously," saying that steps were being taken to reduce exposure danger for both inmates and employees.

Training classes, sessions with volunteers and other communal activities have also been cancelled at the prison.

Also on Sunday, the first three cases of H1N1 infection were confirmed in the Los Angeles area.

According to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LACDPH), the three cases include a female student at the California State University in Long Beach near Los Angeles and two residents in central and southeast Los Angeles.

"These cases do not change our recommendations to the public, but only confirm what we have already suspected -- that this new flu virus is here in L.A. County," said LACDPH director Dr. Jonathan E. Fielding.

"We continue to remind residents that they should not panic. So far, this new flu virus looks and is acting like the regular, seasonal influenza that we already know," he said.

Fielding urged people to be vigilant about personal hygiene, washing hands frequently. Those who believe they are infected should stay home from work or school to prevent spreading the illness.

A total of 26 influenza A/H1N1 cases have been confirmed in California so far.

 

[AlaskaDenise]

Re: H1N1 flu virus spreads to prison in California

This will be a good controlled group to measure the transmissability of swine A/H1N1.

.

 

[The Mountains Voice]

Re: H1N1 flu virus spreads to prison in California

Source: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-05/04/content_11307368.htm

"We continue to remind residents that they should not panic. So far, this new flu virus looks and is acting like the regular, seasonal influenza that we already know," he said.

Wow! Now that's something I've not thought about in a long time - how this is going to affect the prison system, which is pretty overcrowded to begin with. Not the calmest, most rational setting - and not so sure they'd take the above message to heart that easily. I sure would hate to be locked up in a Pandemic. My sympathy goes out to these folks - most of which are not the monsters of society, but simply people who made bad decisions, or youthful indiscretions. There but for the grace of God go I.

 

[GhostRN]

Re: H1N1 flu virus spreads to prison in California

Even more concerning is when a good number of the prison guards get sick and can't go to work. Most prisons only have a couple of nurses on staff. Shiloh - what about changing the title to Prisons with H1N1 by state - as there will probably be more to add.

 

[Laidback Al]

Re: H1N1 flu virus spreads to prison in California

Calif. halts prison visits due to H1N1
Published: May 4, 2009

SACRAMENTO, May 4 (UPI) -- California authorities Sunday suspended visits at dozens of prisons following word that an inmate in Imperial County may have contracted the H1N1 flu virus. A spokesman for the California Prison Health Care Services, Luis Patino, said the inmate in Centinela State Prison was diagnosed as probably having the virus, The Sacramento Bee reported Sunday.
"The inmate and his cellmate have been isolated," Patino said.
George Kostyrko, spokesman for the California Department of Correction and Rehabilitation, said visitation has been suspended until further notice at the state's 33 adult prisons, six youth facilities and several community-based facilities, the newspaper said.
At the same time, worries eased somewhat within the Davis Joint Unified School District, which had said Friday it planned to shut down Holmes Junior High School for at least one week. The school will remain open after officials were notified Sunday a student at Holmes was ill with another type of flu -- not the H1N1 commonly referred to as swine flu.

http://www.upi.com/Top_News/2009/05/04/Calif-halts-prison-visits-due-to-H1N1/UPI-88201241411478/

 

[mixin]

Re: H1N1 flu virus spreads to prison in California

snips from another article:

Swine flu is starting to sound a lot like cruel and unusual punishment for inmates throughout California prisons who will have to go without family visits on Mother's Day this weekend.

The biggest disappointment may come from some 700 children in cities throughout the state, including Stockton, who were hoping to join the annual "Get on the Bus" program that takes them to two women's prisons in Chowchilla for a visit with mom. They'll have to wait until June 26, Kane said.

Patino said "quite a few" inmates have swine flue symptoms, yet he declined to give details, fearing it might create undue alarm.

http://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090509/A_NEWS/905090314