About 60 percent of the inmates at Alabama's Draper Correctional Facility in Elmore have developed flu-like symptoms after possibly being food poisoned. The inmates became sick late last week and over the weekend.

Prison officials said food poisoning is suspected because of the rapid onset of the symptoms, including gastrointestinal ailments. The Alabama Department of Public health has been called to inspect the kitchen and analyze the meals that were served.

The inmates are being treated and closely watched. The medium-security prison has a population of more than 1,200 inmates. No other state prisons are reporting similar illnesses.