The Prevalence of Flu in Prisons and Two Deaths

RAHANA, Some news was published about the prevalence of a dangerous sort of flu in Gohardasht prison which caused some deaths among the non-political prisoners.The prison medical centre is unable to treat all the patients due to the large number of patients. Simultaneously, one of the personnel from “Health and Cure of Prisons Organization” confirmed the above news and announced:” In Ghezel Hesar prison there is a dangerous flu prevalent;in Ashoura and Tasoua Days, two died in block 8, salon 2 of the prison and two officers from “Karaj Health Office” visiting the prison confirmed that the deaths were caused by flu”.
According to Jaras News Agency, this medical authority who asked to remain unknown noted that:”Unfortunately, although the problem has been like this for a long while, authorities have taken no action and no budget is allocated for it; just a limited number of HIV and heart patients are vaccinated. This illness is prevailing and some of the personnel have caught the flu also. Everyone in prison is worried and fearful about the illness;an air of fear and worry is dominant in prison”.

He continued:” Also in Rajai Shahr (Gohardasht) prison, two suspicious deaths were reported and later on the cause of death was confirmed as flu”.
The same source also added:” The prisoners are kept in a very confined space, for instance in block 3, 170 people are kept in a 100 metres area”.

A member of political prisoners families through an interview with Jaras announced that the flu is prevalent in Gohardasht prison and the families are concerned about this, especially because of the apathetic attitudes of the authorities.

It is worth noting that Kalemeh News Agency published a news about the prevalence of flu and reported the prisoner’s families concern about the critical situation and face to face visits replaced by cabin visits.

The report added: “Flu has been prevalent for a while and has caused some deaths in different blocks and the Prison Medical Centre has lost control due to the large numbers of patients”.

It should be noted that similar reports from several other prisons in the country about the prevalence of swine flu were reported.