Two prisoners dead in suspected typhoid outbreak

By ANDREW ALPHONSE
TWO inmates have died following a suspected typhoid outbreak at the Bui Yebi jail outside Mendi in the Southern Highlands province.
Police said the jail’s entire male inmate population (exact figures unavailable) was believed to be infected by the pandemic and the worst is imminent if proper medical assistance is not immediately forthcoming.
Acting provincial police commander Inspector Michael Aglua confirmed the deaths, adding police in the area were still awaiting further reports on the situation from jail authorities.
Mendi police criminal investigation division reported that one of the inmates from Koroba died last Easter Sunday, while the second one from Kagua died on Wednesday.
Their bodies are currently at Mendi hospital morgue awaiting autopsy. Police are yet to receive the identities of the deceased from jail authorities.
A medical team from Mendi hospital visited the prison this week to conduct medical examinations and confirmed the outbreak.
According to police, the team found that the ‘entire’ male inmates were infected by both malaria and typhoid.
Police blamed overcrowding, unhygienic conditions, contaminated food and water as the cause of the outbreak.
Police said because of the jail conditions, the disease was easily spread by contact.
Police said the entire male detainees were admitted to Mendi hospital for treatment this week but one of the prisoners from Nipa escaped, while being admitted at the hospital.
This prompted jail authorities to take all the prisoners back to jail, placing their lives at risk.
Police suggested that an urgent bail be granted to remandees, while those serving jail terms be transferred to other prisons around the country.

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