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Oregon Department of Corrections
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 26, 2005
Contact: Perrin Damon, DOC, (503) 945-0925
Jim Sellers, DHS, (503) 945-5738
Gastrointestinal illness affects inmates at penitentiary
Over the past 24-hours, approximately 128 inmates at Oregon State Penitentiary and the Oregon State Penitentiary Minimum facility in Salem have presented symptoms of a gastrointestinal illness. A norovirus is suspected. Until the cause is known, prison officials, in conjunction with local and state public health authorities, are treating the symptoms, emphasizing personal hygiene and also actively evaluating other possible causes. Precautions have been taken just in case this outbreak was food borne.
"The first inmates presented symptoms on Tuesday, January 25," explained Department of Corrections Medical Director Steve Shelton, MD. "If it is, indeed, a norovirus as we suspect, it is very contagious. We are cautioning inmates and staff to wash their hands frequently, cover their coughs and sneezes, and limit contact with others."
The primary symptoms of the virus are stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. The best means of prevention is good hygiene. Incubation generally takes about 36 hours after exposure and the symptoms last between one and two days.
There is no way to determine how the virus was introduced into the prison population. However, the state health lab will be analyzing stool samples from some inmates to determine which virus is responsible.
"The good news from the health authorities is that for most people, the virus is not dangerous," explained Dr. Shelton. "These kinds of viruses are self-limiting, but we are emphasizing precautions to reduce the chances of it spreading."
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