Case of Inmate with Legionnaires Disease Prompts San Quentin to Shut Off Water

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By Bay City News Service

One inmate at San Quentin State Prison Friday is suffering from Legionnaires disease, a form of pneumonia spread through water, mist and steam, medical professionals said.

Prison officials confirmed the case Thursday afternoon at the prison, which is located just east of Larkspur in Marin County, California Department of Corrections spokeswoman Dana Simas said.

The case prompted prison officials to shut off the water at the prison until the source of the disease is identified, she said.

Simas said about 20 other inmates are under observation because they have symptoms. These prisoners have been tested and prison officials are waiting for the test results, she said.

She said the prisoner with the disease is not gravely ill.

“He’s expected to be fine,” she said.

Medical professionals with the Department of Health and Human Services in Marin County said the disease is not spread from person to person and the community outside of the prison is not at risk.

Simas said prison officials have delivered bottled water and portable toilets for the prisoners.

The prisoners are eating food that can be made without water inside the prison, such as sandwiches, fruit, milk, cookies, almonds, calzones, graham crackers and fruit juices.

Only necessary visitors, such as the prisoners’ families, are being allowed at the prison Friday.