No new cases of PGD among prisoners, says ADPH

No new cases of laboratory-confirmed invasive pneumococcal infection (IPD) have been discovered among inmates of the Ventress Penitentiary, in Barbour County, the Department of Health said Friday. public of Alabama.

"Systems are set up to monitor the signs and symptoms of IPD among inmates and facility staff," say health department officials in a statement.

ADPH sent an alert describing the signs and symptoms of PGD to health care providers in the counties where the majority of Ventress prison staff reside. These counties include Barbour, Dale, Houston and Pike Counties.

Those who have had close or prolonged contact with prisoners or staff of the Ventress penitentiary must consult a doctor if they develop PGD symptoms, including fever, chills, stiff neck, sore throats. head, sensitivity to light, cough, shortness of breath, chest pain or other severe respiratory symptoms.

According to ADPH, visitors outside Ventress are unlikely to be exposed to the strain of S. pneumoniae that caused the outbreak. PPV23 vaccine can protect against bacteria. The use of recommended antibiotics and vaccination will provide protection for people at risk during the epidemic, but even with these measures, it is possible that the infection will occur, officials said.

For more information on IPD, click here.