The Broome County Health Department has determined that the illness impacting more than 300 people in the Broome County Correctional Facility is salmonella infection.
The Broome County Sheriff’s Office and the health department released a joint statement on May 27 confirming that “multiple test results” revealed the infection spreading within the facility is salmonella, a bacterial infection that causes nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and other symptoms.
In a previous press release, which was sent out earlier in the day on May 27, the health department and sheriff’s office said several inmates reported symptoms to medical staff at the facility on May 25. Within the next 24 hours, more than 140 people were seen by medical staff for similar symptoms.
The health department initially believed the illness was due to norovirus, a highly contagious stomach illness affecting 19 million to 21 million people in the United States each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Testing results returned on May 27 confirming that the foodborne bacterial salmonella infection was the cause of the illness within the facility. The health department’s treatment of those infected remains the same as the treatment for norovirus — focusing on replacing lost fluids to prevent dehydration.
High-risk patients, including immunocompromised or older individuals, will also be receiving antibiotics as needed under the direction of the health department and the facility medical provider.
The correctional facility has been working with both the health department, the New York State Department of Health and the food service provider Trinity Services Group to investigate and test all possible contamination sources, according to the press release.
A full correctional facility kitchen inspection was conducted by the health department on May 26 in response to the illnesses and complaints. The inspection reportedly found no major violations within the facilities, equipment or food preparation areas.
As standard policy, according to the press release, a sample of all meals served at the correctional facility is wrapped, refrigerated and stored for five days in case of possible contamination. Meals from the days prior to the initial reports of illness are currently undergoing testing to help identify the source and the health department will also be conducting surveys of all inmates to help determine exposure and contact.
All food currently being served at the correctional facility arrived and has been prepared after the initial illness was reported and identified, according to the press release. The facility is also undergoing a deep and steady cleaning on any exposed surfaces or areas within the jail and food supplies on site used prior to the illness are being held for testing before disposal.
Further updates on the number of confirmed cases and the number of people experiencing symptoms will be provided over the next several days.
This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: Widespread illness at Broome jail stems from foodborne infection
Reporting by Jillian McCarthy, Binghamton Press & Sun Bulletin / Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin
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