Dear Correctional Colleagues,

Each year, over 30 million cases of infectious diarrhea are diagnosed in the United States. The overwhelming majority of these illnesses are due to viral pathogens, of which noroviruses are the most common. Gastroenteritis outbreaks due to noroviruses have been reported in numerous settings, including schools, day care, restaurants, military barracks, and cruise ships. More recently, norovirus outbreaks have been diagnosed in correctional facilities.

Jails and prisons are perfect settings for the incubation and propagation of viral gastroenteritis. In many ways, correctional facilities are functionally very similar to large cruise ships. Both house hundreds if not thousands of transient residents and employees, and in both settings the residents utilize a common source for food, water, and laundry. Eating is the main recreational activity for both inmates and cruise ship passengers, and neither inmates nor cruise ship passengers can depart their vessel at will.

One important difference complicating gastroenteritis outbreaks in the correctional setting is that in most jails and prisons, inmates perform much of the essential work including culinary, housekeeping, grounds keeping, painting, and building maintenance. When a contagious disease outbreak such as viral gastroenteritis hits a correctional institution, the sudden loss of large numbers of critical workers can severely impact day-to-day operations. Clearly, a prompt and effective infection control response to contagious disease outbreaks is essential for both public health and institutional safety and security.

This month’s issue of IDCR provides useful information and recommendations regarding the diagnosis and management of viral gastroenteritis in a correctional setting. It is our hope that by preparing in advance, you, our correctional colleagues, will be better prepared to respond if /when your facility is impacted by a gastroenteritis outbreak. As always, we welcome your feedback on this and every issue, and encourage your recommendations regarding future infectious diseases topics of interest.

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