In a confined space, a contagious illness like the swine flu (H1N1) could spread quickly. It’s a problem health officials inside jails are thinking about as cases of swine flu fluctuate. Many have come up with a health plan, but in Ireland their plan is raising eyebrows.
In Ireland, swine flu cases are increasing rapidly which is forcing every organization to make a long term plan. If there was an outbreak of the swine flu in a prison staff may be quarantined with inmates.
An Irish Prison Service spokesman said, “At a corporate level, we are acutely aware of the possible adverse impact of a swine flu outbreak at a prison level and we are considering the necessary steps which may have to be considered in the event that significant numbers of cases occur within the prison system, either involving staff or prisoners.”
The Irish Prison Service has secured medical supplies and has contracted with community pharmacists to access Tamiflu if needed. Tamiflu is often prescribed to help kick the symptoms brought on by the flu, including fever, aches and stomach pain.
It’s one of several plans being looked at to safeguard the country’s 4,000+ inmates and staff.
The plans come on the heels of an inmate dying from an alleged case of swine flu. John O’Connor, 52, was being held at the Cloverhill Prison when he died. His family believes his medical care was not handled properly. They specifically want to know why he was not given Tamiflu to fight the illness.
Swine Flu Background
The World Health Organization says this strain of flu sparked the century’s first influenza pandemic in 2009. Now it’s considered to be in the post pandemic phase, meaning the number of illnesses is scaling back. The pandemic meant mass amounts of vaccine had to be shipped around the world. It was the first time the world faced such a pandemic in more than 40 years.
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