IN prison: 25 inmates hospitalized with severe illness

IN state corrections officials said Tuesday that the H1N1 flu virus led to the death of an inmate and sickened 40 others at an IN prison. Testing is ongoing to determine the cause of the pneumonia, which could have multiple viral or bacterial causes, she said.

Pontones says “very specific steps” including thoroughly cleaning the prison are now being taken to prevent the virus from spreading further among inmates.

The superintendent of the prison says 18 patients began to show flu or pneumonia-like symptoms at the beginning of last week. Indiana Department of Corrections spokesman Ike Randolph said there are 35 inmates with flu-like symptoms at the Putnamville Correctional Facility near Greencastle.

Indiana Department of Correction Medical Director Doctor Michael Mitcheff says officials will focus on how to increase those immunization numbers in the future.

The Indiana State Department of Health and Centers for Disease Control are working closely with the agencies to find out the cause of the situation.

Federal health officials are helping IN health officials investigate the inmates’ illnesses.

Tests have confirmed that it was the H1N1 flu virus that hit nearly three dozen offenders and several staff members at the Putnamville Prison.

One offender, whose name has not been released, died Friday. Thirteen remain in the hospital, two in the Intensive Care Unit.