1 inmate in Indiana prison flu outbreak still critical

PUTNAMVILLE, Ind. (AP) - A hospital spokeswoman say one inmate sickened during a flu outbreak at a western Indiana prison where nearly three dozen people became ill remains in critical condition.

Terre Haute Regional Hospital spokeswoman Jennifer Stanley said Wednesday that five other Putnamville Correctional Facility inmates are listed in good condition. She says some of them could be soon released.

State epidemiologist Pam Pontones said Tuesday the sick inmates were infected with the H1N1 swine flu strain, which caused a global pandemic in 2009. Officials say the 35-year-old inmate who died Friday also was infected with the so-called superbug MRSA - the staph infection methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

Pontones said the prison was sanitizing the building's interior and urging hand-washing to reduce the chances that more inmates will become infected.