H1N1 in Jails, Prison

[thebes]

Re: H1N1 in Jails, Prison

California: A dozen San Joaquin County inmates test positive for H1N1 virus
By Roman Gokhman
Contra Costa Times
Posted: 06/30/2009 07:31:55 PM PDT
Updated: 06/30/2009 07:31:56 PM PDT


FRENCH CAMP ? Twelve inmates in the San Joaquin County Jail have tested positive for the H1N1 virus, that county's sheriff's office announced Tuesday.

The infected inmates had flu symptoms and were seen by jail nurses and doctors. They were isolated and tested by the county's Public Health Department. The confirmation was made Tuesday.

The infected inmates were placed in isolation to contain the virus and are receiving treatment.


http://www.contracostatimes.com/ci_12727494?nclick_check=1

 

[thebes]

Re: H1N1 in Jails, Prison

800 at San Quentin quarantined for swine flu
Jaxon Van Derbeken, Chronicle Staff Writer

Friday, July 3, 2009

(07-02) 20:16 PDT SAN FRANCISCO -- About 800 San Quentin State Prison inmates have been quarantined - banned from having visitors starting this weekend - as officials await testing on 30 inmates suspected of having swine flu, authorities said Thursday.

So far, four of the 30 minimum-security inmates have tested positive for having a strain that has a 97 percent probability of being the H1N1 virus, said Luis Patino, spokesman for the federal receiver who runs state prison medical care.

It will take about 10 days to confirm if the results are indeed swine flu. Meanwhile, the quarantined inmates will be barred from having visitors and will be kept confined to the single cell block where the suspected outbreak occurred.

Patino said the prison system is taking a more measured approach compared with a response to a swine flu case in May, which forced a 10-day ban on prison visits statewide.

"This time, we have a more measured response and we are doing that because we know that this is a highly virulent strain and because we know much more about how to confine the virus and how to handle the symptoms," Patino said.

The prison has a population of 5,200 inmates.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/07/02/BANF18IJCA.DTL&tsp=1

 

[thebes]

Re: H1N1 in Jails, Prison

San Diego County Jail Inmates And Employees Showing Symptoms Of Swine Flu

The local swine flu outbreak has now hit two San Diego county jails.

Law enforcement officials say 56 inmates and 11 employees are showing symptoms of the swine flu.

The 45 men are being quarantined at Donovan State Prison, and 11 women are quarantined at Las Colinas. The symptomatic employees have been sent home.

More than 1,000 inmates have been exposed, and for now visiting is on hold at all county jails.

The swine flu death toll in San Diego County is now at seven. According to the County Health Department, two more people died from the H1N1 virus over the past two weeks - a 57-year-old man and a 64-year-old man.

Both had underlying medical conditions.

http://www.760kfmb.com/Global/story.asp?S=10720214

 

[Shiloh]

Re: H1N1 in Jails, Prison

Source: http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/prison-staff-face-jail-quarantine-over-flu-97356.html

(Ireland)
Prison staff face jail quarantine over flu

By Scott Millar

Monday, July 27, 2009

PRISON staff could face being quarantined in their workplaces if there is a serious outbreak of swine flu in the country?s jails.

This is one of several emergency situations currently being discussed by a high-level government committee tasked with drawing up contingency plans to cope with a swine flu pandemic among Ireland?s 4,000-plus inmates.

Health officials fear that, if the spread of the H1N1 virus accelerates at as fast a pace as it has in Britain, the country?s public services will face their greatest challenge in decades.

A serious outbreak of the virus in the country?s overcrowded prison system would cause particularly severe problems. An Irish Prison Service (IPS) spokesman said: "At a corporate level, the IPS is acutely aware of the possible adverse impact of a swine flu outbreak at prison level and an IPS Contingency Planning Group is considering necessary steps which may have to be considered in the event that significant numbers of cases occur within the prison system, either involving staff or prisoners."

The IPS has secured supplies of paracetamol, personal protective equipment, hand sanitising gels and disposable tissues. Arrangements have also been made with the HSE for access to Tamiflu through contracted community pharmacists.

However, the Prison Officers? Association is pushing for their members to be included in the first wave of frontline workers to receive a vaccine for the flu, whose spread is expected to reach its height between September and December. By then it is expected that one million people in Ireland could be infected by the virus, although it is expected the vast majority will be successfully treated at home.

In the event of a major outbreak, hospitals will be inundated and the Inter-Departmental Committee on Public Health Emergency Planning is considering the possibility of opening special clinics to deal with those suffering from the virus.

HSE national director of population health Dr Patrick Doorley said it was inevitable people will die from the virus in Ireland, he added that he "would not be surprised" if a fatality happened within days.

It is believed up to 26,000 people may need hospital treatment for the virus over a four-month period.



This story appeared in the printed version of the Irish Examiner Monday, July 27, 2009

 

[Shiloh]

Re: H1N1 in Jails, Prison

Source: http://www.ocregister.com/articles/inmates-county-health-2509179-virus-swine

(Orange Co., California)
Monday, July 27, 2009
Jail lockdown continues because of swine flu
County officials are waiting for additional test results of inmates to decide whether to lift lockdown at Men's Central Jail.
By SALVADOR HERNANDEZ
The Orange County Register


SANTA ANA ? Men's Central Jail continues to be on lockdown for the third day today and inmates' movement at the county's other jails continues to be limited after five inmates were found to be infected with the swine flu, authorities said.

County health officials said they are waiting for the results of several tests which will determine whether other inmates have been infected with the H1N1 virus, and a decision on possibly lifting the lockdown will be made later today.

Five inmates at Men's Central Jail have been diagnosed with the H1N1 virus since Thursday, prompting officials to lock down the facility Friday evening, said Lt. Brian Shmutz, commander of the Intake Release Center.

The inmates that have been diagnosed with the potentially deadly virus have been segregated from other inmates and are being treated at the jail's medical ward, he said.

During the weekend, inmates were not allowed to see any visitors and confined to their holding cells. Inmates will be closely monitored for symptoms of the virus.

Officials with the county's health care agency will be re-evaluating the quarantine today, he said.

Deanne Thompson, spokeswoman for the Health Care Agency said no additional swine flu cases have been confirmed, but test results on additional inmates are pending.

According to the state's Department of Public Health, 11 people have died in Orange County because of the swine flu ? the most of any county in California.

Contact the writer: shernandez@ocregister.com or 949-454-7361

 

[Thornton]

Re: H1N1 in Jails, Prison

The Florida Department of Health distributes real time epidemiologic reports to public health providers and registered clinicians. The members of the network are asked not to re-distribute the reports unless explicitly permitted.
All the reports are generated by local providers who may report to local media. The majority of the public health reports are not reported by the media. I do not know the reasons.
I summarize here the institutions that I can recall that have been affected in the past month. The purpose for sharing this information is 1) show how widespread the H1N1 is 2) show the good news that in general the outbreaks are contained once recognized and 3) encourage more sharing on institutional lessons learned as we prepare for a greater threat in the fall.
Prisons and jails in Florida affected in July include Homestead CI, Suwanne CI,
probably Lancaster CI (juvenile), Pinellas jail (women) Orange County jail, and Marion county jail. On the more recent outbreaks they appear to have limited the use of Tamiflu to treatment only or more significant at risk personnel.
When visitation restrictions are imposed those are usually announced on the facility web site.
Joe Thornton MD

 

[FrenchieGirl]

Re: H1N1 in Jails, Prison

3 Naples jail inmates test positive for swine flu

Associated Press - July 29, 2009 7:34 AM ET

NAPLES, Fla. (AP) - Three Collier County Jail inmates have tested positive for swine flu.

The inmates are being treated under medical isolation. Four other inmates are also being treated with flu-like symptoms.

The jail is making sure steps are taken to reduce the likelihood of additional cases by sanitizing all the areas where the infected inmates came into contact with and staff there are being reminded to wash their hands.

Last week, the Florida Department of Health reported a total of 2,915 confirmed cases of swine flu. Another 22 residents infected with the virus have died.

 

[Thornton]

Re: H1N1 in Jails, Prison

Post by JimO Cross linked from Texas thread
http://www.flutrackers.com/forum/showthread.php?t=126536
________________________________________
Source: http://www.khou.com/news/local/crime...1b66cd3fd.html

Officials: Swine flu likely killed Harris County Jail inmate

06:22 PM CDT on Friday, September 25, 2009

By Rucks Russell / 11 News

HOUSTON?The Harris County Jail is reporting what is believed to be the first confirmed death of an inmate due to the swine flu.

Jail officials told 11 News Friday that an inmate became ill early this week, and was transported to Ben Taub Hospital for treatment. They say Kenney Beckett, 27, died Thursday night from complications related to swine flu. The official cause of death has not been determined.

Jail officials say they do not believe the facility has suffered a widespread outbreak because Beckett was in an isolated area and had little contact with other inmates.

Still, the jail?s chief medical officer has sent a letter to the Texas Department of State Health Services, requesting the jail be placed on a priority list to receive the H1N1 vaccine. The vaccine is expected to become available during the first week of October.

Once the vaccine is received, officials say the plan is to inoculate all inmates and jail personnel.

 

[Shiloh]

Re: H1N1 in Jails, Prison

Source: http://www.herald.ie/national-news/city-news/jails-prepare-for-swine-flu-booze-parties-1898404.html

(Ireland)
Jails prepare for swine flu booze parties
By Charlie Mallon

Monday September 28 2009

Prison authorities are wary that inmates may be hoping to raise a toast to swine flu.

The alcohol-based hand cleansing gel which has been made available in work places and institutions to combat the spread of the virus can be used to brew up a potent concoction.

While staff in prisons have been supplied with the gel the Irish Prison Service has not supplied it to inmates in the country's overcrowded jails -- so far.

A spokesman said: "However, in the event of an outbreak of Influenza A [H1N1] among the prison population the Prison Service will issue gels, in line with international and national guidelines."

Frontline officers in the jails believe that inmates are already wise to the potential for creating a new alcoholic brew.

Much of the hand cleansing gel distributed in Ireland carries a clear message that it is alcohol based.

"Prisoners here have shown ingenuity in the past -- so if and when the authorities bring the raw materials in for them, they do not pass up the opportunity," said a senior officer.

"This gel is practically pure alcohol and the rumours circulating are that it can be diluted with fruit, water and sugar to give it a reasonable taste while retaining the buzz."

Tomatoes

In the past, using their contacts on the outside, prisoners have had drugs placed inside tin foil and then secreted them in tomatoes which were thrown on to the wire mesh over prison yards. Crows and other birds pecked the tomatoes, releasing the tin foil wrapped concoctions which fell into the exercise yards in time for collection during recreation.

A similar plan involved hiding the tin foil wraps in cubes of ice, which melted after being thrown on to the mesh.

In Britain, one prison authority where the alcohol-based gel is supplied has already uncovered a brewing operation among inmates.

Peter McParlin of the British Prison Officers Association said the inmates at the jail in the south west of the country were using it to make illicit alcohol.

The gel had been distributed throughout the prison to stop the spread of the swine flu virus.

But he warned that giving inmates access to a gel with an alcohol content was not a good idea and the authorities at the Verne jail in Dorset banned it.

cmallon@herald.ie

 

[Shiloh]

Re: H1N1 in Jails, Prison

Source: http://www.wjhg.com/home/headlines/62606527.html

Posted: 11:38 AM Sep 29, 2009
Swine Flu Outbreaks Low At Bay County Jail (Florida)

H-1-N-1 swine flu is popping up everywhere, this time at the Bay County Jail.

Jail officials say they have seen their fair share of the virus in the last month and are patiently awaiting the release of the flu vaccines.

Bay County Jail administrators say they have seen swine flu or symptoms in at least eight inmates in the month of September.

"What we're finding through the literature through the Centers of Disease Control is that anyone who has flu right now pretty much has the swine flu," says Jail Doctor Ron Lippman.

He says those eight cases are low compared to what it could be.

"We're having a very low spread of this virus going around right now," says Lippman.

"We're just thankful that so far we've only had eight cases," says Warden Rick Anglin.

But as the winter months progress both men are expecting more outbreaks. In the mean time, it's back to the basics. Every corner you turn at the facility there seems to be hand sanitizer or a sign reinforcing hand washing.

"That's very important because the way this virus is spread is through hands to the face," says Lippman.

Another way the jail is preventing the spread of the virus is through respiratory isolation.

"If an inmate is suspected of having the H1N1 or even flu like symptoms they're brought here and quarantined for at least 24 hours."

But Dr. Lippman says he's not too worried because the Bay County Health Department has confirmed the jail will be one of the first facilities to receive the vaccine next month.

"When the immunizations are available, but we will provide it not only for the staff members, but as well as the inmates," says Lippman.

Lippman also says H1N1 was first detected in the U.S. in April of last year, just two months it became an international pandemic.

His advice to everyone inside and outside the jail: don't worry, but certainly don't take it lightly.

Dr. Lippman also suggests staying clear of someone who is actively coughing.

 

[Shiloh]

Re: H1N1 in Jails, Prison

Source: http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/m.....and..Medicine/Swine.Flu..and..State.Prisons.
(Click on source to listen)

Swine Flu & State Prisons
Steve Carmody (2009-10-12)


ANN ARBOR, MI (Michigan Radio) -

Michigan's prisons are preparing for a possible swine flu outbreak. But, the plan does not include vaccinating the state's 46 thousand inmates against the H1N1 virus.

Michigan prison inmates live in close contact with one another. That makes the transmission of a flu bug likely. So far though the department has no confirmed reports of inmates testing positive for the Swine Flu virus.

Corrections officials are putting the finishing touches on a response plan if inmates start falling ill. The plan now would restrict H1N1 vaccinations to inmates who are either pregnant or have compromised immune systems.

John Cordell is a Corrections Department spokesman. He says prison health care staff will also get flu shots.

"People who would be dealing most closely with prisoners, especially contagious prisoners, would also be inoculated," says Cordell.

The Michigan Corrections Department has not yet received a vaccine shipment from the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta. ? Copyright 2009, Michigan Radio

 

[North44]

Re: H1N1 in Jails, Prison

Source: http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/m.....and..Medicine/Swine.Flu..and..State.Prisons.
(Click on source to listen)

Swine Flu & State Prisons
Steve Carmody (2009-10-12)


ANN ARBOR, MI (Michigan Radio) -

Michigan's prisons are preparing for a possible swine flu outbreak. But, the plan does not include vaccinating the state's 46 thousand inmates against the H1N1 virus.
Michigan prison inmates live in close contact with one another. That makes the transmission of a flu bug likely. So far though the department has no confirmed reports of inmates testing positive for the Swine Flu virus.

Corrections officials are putting the finishing touches on a response plan if inmates start falling ill. The plan now would restrict H1N1 vaccinations to inmates who are either pregnant or have compromised immune systems.

John Cordell is a Corrections Department spokesman. He says prison health care staff will also get flu shots.

"People who would be dealing most closely with prisoners, especially contagious prisoners, would also be inoculated," says Cordell.

The Michigan Corrections Department has not yet received a vaccine shipment from the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta. ? Copyright 2009, Michigan Radio

What is the rationale for not vaccinating inmates? Is this a country-wide policy?

 

[sharon sanders]

Re: H1N1 in Jails, Prison

Inhumane.

 

[Shiloh]

Re: H1N1 in Jails, Prison

Source: http://www.therepublic.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=111&ArticleID=138168

(INDIANA)
0/13/2009 7:48:00 AM
Work-release center shut down over swine flu outbreak

CROWN POINT - Officials in northwestern Indiana's Lake County confined about 160 inmates at a work-release center after one inmate was hospitalized with severe flu symptoms.

Lake County Community Corrections director Kellie Bittorf says the illness wasn't immediately confirmed as swine flu but that the staff was taking necessary precautions.

Convicted criminals serving their sentences in the Crown Point center have been barred from leaving for work or receiving visitors since Saturday.

The lock down does include a separate work-release program with about 150 inmates operated by the Lake County Sheriff's Department in the same building.

 

[Shiloh]

Re: H1N1 in Jails, Prison

Source: http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/dpp/health/swine_flu/swine_flu_pasco_inmate_tests_positive_101309

Deputies: Pasco inmate has swine flu

Updated: Tuesday, 13 Oct 2009, 11:52 AM EDT
Published : Tuesday, 13 Oct 2009, 11:43 AM EDT

LAND O' LAKES - An inmate at the Pasco County Sheriff's Office detention center has tested positive for the swine flu.

The inmate, whose name has not been released, was being held in the general population at the Land O' Lakes facility until he notified a nurse he had flu-like symptoms on October 7, according to a news release.

Deputies said the inmate was moved into the medical wing and he was tested for the H1N1 virus. They recieved the positive results back Monday.

Nurses have also been monitoring the other inmates, but there have been no other complaints or indications anyone else has contracted the disease, the sheriff's office said.

Deputies said it is the first known positive case in the Pasco detention center since the swine flu outbreak.

 

[JimO]

Re: H1N1 in Jails, Prison

What is the rationale for not vaccinating inmates? Is this a country-wide policy?

Each state will make that call for state prison sytems and the federal government will make the decision for federal prisons.

It's probably a very sensitive issue if there is a potential shortage of vaccines. Imagine the outcry if all inmates in a state were vaccinated and others had to go without. It creates a tremendous dilemma for prison authorities. I just hope there are enough vaccines so that everyone who wants one can get one.

 

[Snowy Owl]

Re: H1N1 in Jails, Prison

Here in Quebec Civil Crime and Criminal Crimes with sentences of 2 years less one day are under Quebec Juridiction, above 2 years it becomes a Federal Juridiction (not sure it is the same in other provinces Quebec have a distinct civil code from the rest of Canada, the Civil Code, France Legacy for New-France accepted by the British in the Peace Traity.

Snowy

 

[North44]

Re: H1N1 in Jails, Prison

Each state will make that call for state prison sytems and the federal government will make the decision for federal prisons.

It's probably a very sensitive issue if there is a potential shortage of vaccines. Imagine the outcry if all inmates in a state were vaccinated and others had to go without. It creates a tremendous dilemma for prison authorities. I just hope there are enough vaccines so that everyone who wants one can get one.

I agree that high risk groups require earliest vaccination. But, after that, prison inmates should receive their allotment of vaccine, the same as the rest of the population. Their risk actually would be higher because of living in "crowded dormitories". Do you think, if there was an outbreak in a prison, it would not spread to the surrounding population?

 

[Snowy Owl]

Re: H1N1 in Jails, Prison

North44

They still legally kill prisonners in Us.

Snowy

 

[JimO]

Re: H1N1 in Jails, Prison

I agree that high risk groups require earliest vaccination. But, after that, prison inmates should receive their allotment of vaccine, the same as the rest of the population. Their risk actually would be higher because of living in "crowded dormitories". Do you think, if there was an outbreak in a prison, it would not spread to the surrounding population?

I'm not trying to imply that inmates have as much, the same, or more right to be vaccinated due to their circumstances. I'm just certain that there would be problems if there aren't enough vaccines to go around.