Inmate dies in prison flu outbreak

One inmate has died and around 100 others have fallen ill with a flu bug that has swept Stafford Prison.

Medical reinforcements were today sent to the prison, in Gaol Road, which holds inmates from across the West Midlands and Staffordshire.

The outbreak has happened in the prison's Crescent Wing which holds around 300 inmates, mainly sex offenders.

One man was today in Staffordshire General Hospital, where he was in a stable condition. The other sick prisoners have been confined to their cells.

Public health doctors from the Health Protection Agency (HPA) and the South Staffordshire Primary Care Trust are investigating the outbreak, which has hit one third of the wing.

And staff at the prison, some of whom have also caught the bug, are said to be "very concerned" about the situation.

One warden, who asked not to be named, said: "We are particularly worried that the wing has not been isolated.

"While those who are ill are allowed to stay in the cells, others on Crescent Wing – and they could be from the cell next door – are still attending work duties."

Ann Fleming, spokeswoman for the HPA West Midlands, said: "To date more than 90 prisoners on one wing of the prison and some staff have been affected by the illness."

The prisoner who died developed pneumonia with complications after falling ill. He died on Tuesday in the prison's hospital wing and an inquest will be held later.

The prison was today referring all calls to the Home Office.

South Staffordshire Primary Care Trust has provided additional nursing and medical support to the prison healthcare team.

Dr Musarrat Afza, from the Health Protection Unit in Stafford said: "Though this has affected a large number of people, they are recovering."