H1N1 sneaks into Anoka jail, infects inmates and deputies

Outbreaks can be hard to contain in jails, where many people share close quarters and some may be battling addictions, but health officials said all the inmates and staffers are healthy now.

By PAUL LEVY, Star Tribune

Last update: October 29, 2009 - 9:55 PM

The H1N1 virus was behind bars in Anoka recently, with three inmates at the county jail and three deputies contracting the flu virus this month.

The inmates, who were isolated, have since been released, having completed their brief jail terms, Capt. Dave Pacholl said Thursday. All were healthy upon release and were referred to their personal physicians for checkup, said Pacholl, the jail administrator.

The deputies, whose cases appeared more severe than those of the inmates who apparently brought the flu to the jail, all are healthy, as well, and back to work, he said.

Throughout county offices and buildings, there are signs reminding visitors to wash their hands frequently and cover mouths when coughing. But the jail environment can pose an extra challenge.

"In jails, people are very close together," Dave Pacholl said. "Some come here already weakened by drug and alcohol addiction. There are language barriers. It's not an easy place to contain flu."

County health officials, who made sure first-responders were in the initial group of county employees to get the H1N1 nasal flu vaccine, have administered it to some jail staffers, said Rina McManus, director of Anoka County Community Health and Environmental Services. Jails are not included in the Minnesota Department of Health guidelines for doling out the vaccine, which is high in demand but short in supply.

"We have deputies in the jail environment that work with medical units," McManus said. "We're within the guidelines. We responded quickly to make it happen."

County health officials and emergency manager Terry Stoltzman hastily arranged two clinics for sheriff's personnel earlier this month, and a third clinic to discuss the H1N1 outbreak was held Thursday.

The two most recent H1N1 cases at the jail were confirmed last week, said Sheriff Bruce Andersohn, who praised McManus and her staff for their efforts to break the transmission of the virus in the jail.

"We've prepared for mass vaccinations over the year," McManus said.

Health care workers in acute hospital settings topped the list for vaccinations. Then came emergency medical service personnel. More than 250 EMS/first-responders personnel received the H1N1 vaccination. They include police officers, firefighters and emergency medical technicians.

Paul Levy • 612-673-4419

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