SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — The water has been shut off at California’s oldest prison after an inmate was hospitalized with a confirmed case of Legionnaires’ disease.
Corrections department spokeswoman Dana Simas said Friday that at least 16 other San Quentin State Prison inmates are in outside hospitals with symptoms of the disease, which is considered a severe type of pneumonia.
They are being tested to possibly confirm the disease as prison and health officials search for the cause.
Simas says none are in grave danger. Symptoms typically include high fever, chills and a cough.
The water was shut off Thursday and will stay off until the source is found, because Legionella bacteria grow in water.
Prison officials are bringing in portable toilets, bottled water for drinking and large water tanks.
No employees have been sickened.
