Swine Flu A(H1N1) Hits Cebu Jail

[Bamboo]

CEBU CITY

About a third of more than 600 inmates of the Mandaue City Jail have suffered from flu-like symptoms since last week, and a health official warned the ailments could spread faster in such congested quarters. Officials from the Department of Health (DOH) in Central Visayas visited the jail Sunday to collect swab samples from about 177 inmates, as a precaution against influenza A (H1N1). Most of these inmates suffer from pre-existing conditions, one factor that has turned an otherwise mild flu into a potentially fatal illness.

Visits will be limited until laboratory tests confirm what the inmates are suffering from, said Chief Superintendent Doris Dorigo, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP)-Central Visayas director. Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes, quoting a City Health Department report, said it was only the ordinary flu that hit some 60 inmates. (No explanation was available Sunday night for why the figure that reached the mayor was much lower.)

The city sent medicines to the prison, while the DOH is ready to send Tamiflu in case some of the inmates test positive for influenza A (H1N1). Reports about the inmates’ condition first reached the mayor last Saturday. One feverish inmate died last Friday. But Dr. Susana Madarieta, regional director of the Department of Health (DOH)-Central Visayas, said the man didn’t die of the new flu strain, but from complications caused by his drug-related withdrawal.

Congested

What worried Madarieta was that despite a high number of inmates suffering from flu-like symptoms, jail officials failed to isolate sick inmates from healthy ones. Security issues and the lack of space kept them from taking such precautions. Madarieta added that she doubted the inmates were infected due to the spread of influenza A (H1N1) from a campus a few kilometers from the jail, where confirmed cases were earlier treated.

She said it was possible the inmates got it from contact with visitors. Inspector Eric Relucio, deputy warden of the Mandaue City Jail, said that since Monday last week, a large number of inmates have been suffering from flu and fever. Most of those infected were placed in an all-male area of the jail. Some were sent to the new annex building. As of Friday, the number of inmates with flu-like symptoms reached 177.

Relucio said that upon hearing this, Mandaue City Jail Warden Superintendent Simeon Dolojo immediately called Senior Inspector Juan Reyes, chief of the medical division of the BJMP-Central Visayas, to have the inmates checked. Relucio said that Reyes, after checking, concluded it was only ordinary influenza.

Tests

Reyes also advised the jail officials to give the inmates fever medicines, vitamins and some hydrites, if the symptoms include vomiting. However, as a precaution against influenza A (H1N1), jail officials consulted the DOH, which then sent in Dr. Renan Cimafranca and Dr. Expedito Medalla to collect swabs from among the inmates. Results will be released on Wednesday or Thursday. Wilfredo Loberanes, jail leader of the solid building area, told Sun.Star Cebu that Jesse Ogis, 28, who was jailed for alleged illegal drug activities, died on Friday after a bout of flu.

Jail officials, however, stated that Ogis suffered a heart attack and that they have yet to get his autopsy report. Director Madarieta of DOH-Central Visayas said it was unlikely Ogis died of the new flu strain.

Control

She advised officials of the jail to make sure the inmates and prison staff have enough hand-washing facilities to protect themselves from the flu. She added that the DOH will soon deliver chlorine so the inmates can clean up their jail cells.

The Mandaue City Jail currently houses 664 inmates, although it was only good for 300 inmates. “Overcrowded gyud sila, that’s why the risk of spreading the illness is very high,” said Madarieta. Director Dorigo of BJMP told Sun.Star Cebu that as of Sunday afternoon, the situation was under control.

After she received the information about the fever cases last Saturday, she immediately sent the BJMP’s regional physician to attend to the inmates.

Protection

She said the incident could already be considered an outbreak because about 25 percent of the total number of the inmates fell ill. Many of them, however, have already recovered from the fever, she said. Those who were not affected were all given ascorbic acid for their protection. All the inmates’ temperatures are also being monitored, Dorigo said.

On Sunday, Dorigo said a team from the Mandaue City Health Office led by Dr. Oscar Quirante, city health officer, and doctors from the DOH also provided aid. Pending the test results, Dorigo said visitation rights will be limited to the lawyers and medical staff. Families of the inmates, especially those who usually bring children with them, were advised to postpone their visits for their own protection.

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