2 officers at Union County jail diagnosed with MRSA

by Robert E. Misseck/The Star-Ledger
Monday October 06, 2008

Precautionary measures are being implemented at the Union County jail in Elizabeth after two corrections officers were diagnosed with staph infections, authorities said today.
One corrections officer was diagnosed with Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) on Sept. 26. Jail administrators were notified of his illness on Sept. 29. The jail was informed of the second infection on Friday, officials said.
The source of the infection is not known, according to county officials, but Brian P. Riordan, director of the Department of Correctional Services, said steps were taken immediately to prevent anyone else at the jail from being infected.
"We are vigilant as always in ensuring that our jail population and our staff are fully protected," he said.
Measures that were undertaken including the reintroduction of the use of bleach, which had been banned by a previous jail administrator, for general cleaning and laundry.
Custodial staff is also washing down and sanitizing all common areas in the non-secure area of the jail and disinfectants are also being used.
Riordan said all staff is being updated on universal precautionary steps, in addition to prior training provided to staff, which have now been instructed to use protective gloves.
The jail administration is also instituting an operational custodial policy to address living area issues and decrease the spread of infections if an inmate is diagnosed with an infectious ailment.
Efforts will also be made to provide "universal precaution education" to all inmates, Riordan said.
He said general operations at the jail are continuing normally while these precautions are undertaken.
According to the New Jersey Department of Health, many staph infections, including MRSA, are mild and do not require treatment with an antibiotic, but some do, jail officials said.