jnv512
09-13-2002, 09:27 AM
Union: Dozens test positive for TB in Marcy prison
September 12, 2002, 8:30 PM EDT
Correctional Services. No pickup.
MARCY, N.Y. (AP) _ Prison union officials warned Thursday of a "tuberculosis outbreak" at the Marcy Correctional Facility threatening the health of prison staff, but state officials say the exposure rate is falling and about the same as that of Manhattan's population.
Eighteen inmates at the Marcy facility have active tuberculosis and dozens of others have tested positive for exposure, union officials said.
James Flateau, spokesman for the state Department of Correctional Services, said 37 inmates and two officers tested positive for exposure to the disease, and 90 percent of people exposed do not develop TB.
The infected inmates showed symptoms of weight loss and coughing in July and August, said Peggy Porter, health and safety coordinator for the New York State Correction Officers and Police Benevolent Association, which represents 24,000 officers.
Two guards have had positive skin test results, said Anthony Farda, the association's central region vice president. "This is a very serious health concern for our union and all of our officers," Farda said.
State inmates and staff are tested yearly for TB exposure, Flateau said. Prison staff working in high risk areas such as infirmaries, outside hospitals or medical transport are tested twice a year, he said.
"The annual testing and monitoring exceeds that which is afforded the general public ... for the protection of our staff," Flateau said.
Inmates with positive results are sent to isolation rooms until cases can be confirmed and their contacts tested, Flateau said. There are only four or five isolation units in each prison, he said.
Flateau said the rate of active TB cases in the state's prisons fell from 124 per 100,000 inmates in 1995 to 25 cases per 100,000 inmates last year.
TB is a bacterial infection that usually attacks the lungs. Symptoms include fatigue, weight loss, fever and lack of appetite, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Marcy, 44 miles east of Syracuse, is a medium-security prison housing more than 1,500 inmates and 350 guards.
September 12, 2002, 8:30 PM EDT
Correctional Services. No pickup.
MARCY, N.Y. (AP) _ Prison union officials warned Thursday of a "tuberculosis outbreak" at the Marcy Correctional Facility threatening the health of prison staff, but state officials say the exposure rate is falling and about the same as that of Manhattan's population.
Eighteen inmates at the Marcy facility have active tuberculosis and dozens of others have tested positive for exposure, union officials said.
James Flateau, spokesman for the state Department of Correctional Services, said 37 inmates and two officers tested positive for exposure to the disease, and 90 percent of people exposed do not develop TB.
The infected inmates showed symptoms of weight loss and coughing in July and August, said Peggy Porter, health and safety coordinator for the New York State Correction Officers and Police Benevolent Association, which represents 24,000 officers.
Two guards have had positive skin test results, said Anthony Farda, the association's central region vice president. "This is a very serious health concern for our union and all of our officers," Farda said.
State inmates and staff are tested yearly for TB exposure, Flateau said. Prison staff working in high risk areas such as infirmaries, outside hospitals or medical transport are tested twice a year, he said.
"The annual testing and monitoring exceeds that which is afforded the general public ... for the protection of our staff," Flateau said.
Inmates with positive results are sent to isolation rooms until cases can be confirmed and their contacts tested, Flateau said. There are only four or five isolation units in each prison, he said.
Flateau said the rate of active TB cases in the state's prisons fell from 124 per 100,000 inmates in 1995 to 25 cases per 100,000 inmates last year.
TB is a bacterial infection that usually attacks the lungs. Symptoms include fatigue, weight loss, fever and lack of appetite, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Marcy, 44 miles east of Syracuse, is a medium-security prison housing more than 1,500 inmates and 350 guards.