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Disease outbreak reported at Alabama prison after one inmate dies

Montgomery Advertiser - 9/29/2018

Sept. 28--The Alabama Department of Public Health on Friday confirmed a bacterial outbreak at the Ventress Correctional Facility after one inmate died on Monday.

ADPH has identified three inmates who have been hospitalized with Streptococcus pneumoniae-caused infections, a bacteria that can cause respiratory infections and more severe illnesses such as pneumonia and meningitis.

Two of the patients developed meningitis, and one died on Monday.

"The Alabama Department of Corrections will be providing antibiotics to inmates and staff who have had close contact with, shared cigarettes and other personal items with inmates who have lab-confirmed pneumococcal disease and to those who have a fever or flu-like illness," an ADPH release stated.

ADPH has also ordered a vaccine from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. ADOC will administer the vaccine to previously unvaccinated people who have been in "close contact" with inmates within the last week. The bacteria is spread through "respiratory droplets," ADPH said, like saliva and mucus.

The Advertiser on Tuesday reported a Ventress inmate had died and confirmed with ADPH the inmate had previously tested positive for the bacteria. The ADPH on Tuesday denied there was an outbreak and stated they had no evidence at the time to indicate a cause of death or a link between the two inmates.

ADOC on Tuesday did not answer Advertiser queries about potential lockdown procedures at the prison.

"An inmate assigned to Ventress Correctional Facility in Clayton was being treated at a local hospital when his death was reported yesterday," ADOC spokesperson Bob Horton said in an emailed statement on Tuesday. "There was no foul play involved but the (cause) of death is not known at this time."

Ventress, about 75 miles southeast of Montgomery, is a medium-custody facility, according to the ADOC website. It offers alcohol and drug treatment classes, as well as community services to certain public agencies.

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