Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #112230

Jennifer L. Stewart, MS, Surveillance Group, Maricopa County Department of Public Health, 1010 E. McDowell Rd., Suite 300, Phoenix, AZ 85006, (602)372-2621, jenniferstewart@mail.maricopa.gov

On May 4, 2004 three varicella cases were reported in a jail facility in Maricopa County. A total of 28 inmates and one detention officer were identified with varicella infection in two separate facilities and multiple housing units. Exposed inmates legally released by the court could not be kept quarantined. They were contacted by mail to notify them of their potential exposure and risk of developing illness. No illnesses or community outbreaks associated with released inmates were reported.

Challenges were identified in implementing control measures within the realities of correctional facilities: assuring optimal communication flow between public health and corrections staff; training of non-medical staff in rash screening, quarantine and isolation procedures; and coordinating the at-times competing priorities of security, staff safety and disease control.

A protocol was developed and implemented, including varicella immunity screens for exposed contacts and immediate quarantine of non-immune contacts in groups. These measures, along with facilitating the assessment of prisoners with rash may have interrupted varicella transmission within the system.

This case is important as a model for the control of other illnesses requiring even stricter quarantine measures. Successful control strategies in a jail population must include prompt recognition of rashes, isolation of infected individuals, and constant communication between coordinating agencies.

Learning Objectives:

• Develop a better understanding of varicella and herpes zoster infection in a jail environment.
• Evaluate varicella control strategies in a jail population in the context of a current outbreak experience.
• Develop a plan for coordinating joint efforts between corrections personnel and public health to deal with outbreak of disease in the jail populations.

Keywords: Jails and Prisons, Outbreaks

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.