SUMTER COUNTY, Fla. — Inmates at the Federal Correctional Institution Coleman’s satellite camp were recently diagnosed with Legionnaires disease, the U.S. Department of Justice’s Federal Bureau of Prisons confirmed Wednesday.
Legionnaires’ disease, or legionella pneumonia, is a lung infection caused by breathing in droplets of water containing the Legionella bacteria. It is treatable with antibiotics.
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FCI Coleman’s satellite camp is a minimum-security facility that houses 409 female inmates. The correctional institute is working closely with the Florida Department of Health to investigate the source of the illness and take necessary precautions.
“In conducting this investigation, the health and safety of staff, inmates and the public are the Bureau of Prisons’ highest priority,” a news release states.
Staff and inmates have been notified about the situation and staff members are prepared to take additional steps as needed, the news release states.
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