H1N1 cases at prison prompt precautions

SAN RAFAEL, Calif., July 9 (UPI) -- The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation said precautions are in place following a swine flu outbreak at San Quentin State Prison.

The state department said after four probable H1N1 influenza cases were identified and 47 prisoners exhibited flu-like symptoms, a hold on accepting new prisoners was implemented, the Los Angeles Times said Wednesday.

The hold from 19 Northern California counties was accompanied by the suspension of all inmate transfers to other correctional facilities, corrections agency officials added in a statement.

The swine flu outbreak at the prison near San Rafael, Calif., has resulted in nearly 50 percent of the site's 5,153 inmates living in quarantine.

Members of the public are not being permitted to visit the affected housing units as an additional precaution, the Times reported.