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Cook County Jail has outbreak of lice, scabies

Posted May 18, 2013 9:00 am

Associated Press

CHICAGO — Cook County Sheriff Thomas Dart says there is an outbreak of lice and scabies at the county jail and the hospital serving jail detainees.

Dart said Friday he has ordered the isolation of a division of Cook County Jail and part of Cermak Hospital. Five detainees housed in the hospital's mental health unit and 10 detainees assigned to a dorm within Division II have the parasites.

Dart says treating and eliminating the parasites among those with mental health issues may be difficult. He says those refusing treatment are being restrained to have their infestation treated.

Affected detainees have been isolated and others housed in the affected units are being provided preventative treatment.

Dart says units are being disinfected and detainees provided new linens and clothing. Linens are being laundered separately.

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