LARGO, Fla. (AP) — Two pods at the Pinellas County Jail have been quarantined because an inmate contracted chicken pox.
Officials say the areas were quarantined last week. The inmate had contact with two pods but has since bonded out. The areas can hold up to 80 inmates each.
Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Cristen Rensel says the quarantine will remain in effect through Jan. 29 for “precautionary reasons.”
The Tampa Tribune (http://bit.ly/1dwm1te) reports that there have been no additional reports of inmates with chicken pox.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, chickenpox can be serious, especially in babies, adults and those with weakened immune systems. Before a vaccine was discovered, about 10,600 people were hospitalized and 100 to 150 died each year as a result of chickenpox.
Source: Associated Press
