Suspected TB outbreak in Irish prisons

6th June 2011

Dozens of prisoners and prison officers at Cloverhill and Wheatfield prisons in Dublin and the Midlands prison in Portlaoise have been diagnosed with TB, "just days after the release of a highly critical review of the system", reports Fiachra Ó Cionnaith in the Irish Examiner. This has been confirmed by the HSE.

"It is understood seven inmates at Cloverhill have been diagnosed with active TB, with a further two in isolation over fears they have developed the illness. One of the inmates at Cloverhill has been hospitalised — as have two prisoners at Wheatfield and another at the Midlands prison.

"In addition, the condition has been passed to up to 16 workers on the packed wings of the Midlands prison. These 16 workers have been diagnosed with latent TB — a form of the illness which does not pose an immediate risk and will only develop into active TB if not properly addressed."

Read more:

• Irish Examiner: 'TB strikes prisoners and staff in three jails' (6th June 2011)
• Evening Herald: 'Four prison inmates are taken to hospital in suspected TB outbreak' (28th March, 2011)