BINGHAMTON, NY (607NewsNow) – Investigators are trying to find the source of an outbreak in Binghamton.
On May 25, several inmates at the Broome County Correctional Facility began experiencing stomach-bug-like symptoms.
According to the Broome County Sheriff’s Office, that number grew to over 300 inmates reporting vomiting, diarrhea, and headaches on May 26. Health officials originally suspected norovirus, but the cause of the illnesses was determined to be Salmonella.
Visitation was shut down, and state-mandated contact tracing of every individual in the jail was conducted on Thursday. Inmates were given access to phones and tablets for visitation purposes. Although an inspection of the facility found no major violations, all food in the facility served before the outbreak was held for testing anyway.
Broome County Public Health Director Olivia Catalano says chicken salad served in the cafeteria did test positive for Salmonella, but further testing is needed to determine if it was the same type that caused the outbreak. The Salmonella in the food is being compared to the Salmonella specimens collected from sickened inmates, but it will take time, as samples are being sent to the NYS Department of Health’s Wadsworth Lab in Albany.
Inmates are receiving treatment as needed, and ten were sent to the hospital for additional hydration treatment.
The Broome County Sheriff’s Office thanked the Broome County Health Department, Broome County Office of Emergency Services, PrimeCare Medical, Inc., and United Health Services for their efforts in the coordinated response.
