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| Jail isolates 18 with staph infection |
| By Palm Beach Post |
| Published: 02/19/2004 |
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An outbreak of highly contagious staph infection at the Palm Beach County (Fla.) Jail -- which affected 54 prisoners at one time in November -- has caused jail officials to isolate inmates. Jail officials are isolating about 18 inmates from the general population at the jail, officials say. Staphylococcus, a germ carried on the skin of healthy people, is not unusual in dirty jails where hygiene is questionable. But once it starts settling in wounds, it can spread quickly, according to medical experts. The type found at the jail is a virulent strain, but not as deadly as other forms of the bacteria. "It usually is a form of skin rash," said Tim O'Connor, spokesman for the county health department. "It can spread in tight areas, especially if you are sharing towels and razor blades." Or, as one official said, by giving each other jail tattoos. There were 28 cases in September at the main jail on Gun Club Road, 53 in October and 54 in November, O'Connor said. The number of cases reportedly dropped to five in December but spiked up again last month. There also have been a handful of cases at the sheriff's stockade facility near the fairgrounds. The inmates are not considered to be in quarantine and can see visitors. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has not been contacted. But the infection, because of the numbers, is considered an outbreak, O'Connor said. |
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