On March 27, 2024 the Mecklenburg County Health Department visited the Mecklenburg County Jail on 801 East 4th Street Charlotte, NC due to an gastrointestinal outbreak at the jail.
This past weekend, approximately 50 inmates at the jail experienced symptoms of stomach illness. The health department said that the jail had a gastrointestinal outbreak.
The gastrointestinal tract includes the mouth, throat, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum, and anus. Food and liquids move via the GI tract as they are swallowed and absorbed.
All inmates feeling unwell were allegedly given immediate and appropriate medical attention. In 2022 inmates were infected with monkeypox at the jail.
The Health Department required the jail to take immediate precautionary measures, including mandatory use of personal protective equipment while cleaning and disinfecting affected areas of the jail. The jail was almost shut down by the health department.
Additionally, the Health Department reviewed the cleaning and disinfecting products to be used to ensure appropriate effectiveness.
Testing of all inmates who were symptomatic with gastrointestinal illness began on March 27th.
