Illnesses strike state prison

Public health officials said Friday that 546 inmates at the Chuckwalla Valley State Prison have been stricken with flu-like symptoms. Ten have been hospitalized and two have died since Feb. 23.

“We have been at the prison and have taken the proper steps to deal with the outbreak,” said Dr. Eric Frykman, Riverside County public health officer. “I want to reassure the community that the outbreak does not pose any unusual health risks.”

Officials are reviewing the deaths to see if influenza was a factor.

The county health department is working with the state prison system and local hospitals to prevent the spread of the illness. Chuckwalla prison has been temporarily closed to new inmates, volunteers and visitors. Movement by inmates in the prison has been restricted and time in the prison yard put on a rotating basis, prison officials said.

Palo Verde Valley residents are encouraged to wash their hands often, avoid contact with sick people and stay home from work when ill. Those who have not had a flu shot should contact their doctors or call the county public health scheduling number, (800) 720-9553.

-- David Kelly