DOC: Inmate preliminarily tests positive for TB at Dixon Correctional

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EAST FELICIANA PARISH, La. (WAFB) - The La. Department of Corrections (DOC) confirmed another inmate has preliminarily tested positive for tuberculosis, but it remains unknown if this case is connected to the drug-resistant strain allegedly brought into correctional facilities by a foreign detainee.

According to the DOC, an inmate incarcerated at Dixon Correctional Institute (DCI) in Jackson, La. received a preliminary positive test result of active tuberculosis on Thursday afternoon, Oct. 24. The test was given as part of ongoing tuberculosis screening and testing of staff and inmates at prison facilities as required by department regulation.

A DOC spokesman says the correctional facility is doing further testing on the inmate to verify that it is actually the strain of bacteria that causes TB. He confirmed the inmate is being isolated and receiving TB treatment out of an abundance of caution.

This is currently the only preliminary positive test result at DCI, according to the DOC.

“There is no outbreak at DCI, and the prison is not on lockdown. However, the Department has suspended routine inmate transfers into and out of the prison for the time being,” said the spokesman.

The DOC is working with the La. Department of Health, but the spokesman says there is currently no reason to suspect a connection to the drug-resistant TB case at the ICE facility.

Earlier this week, Louisiana officials filed a lawsuit on behalf of the state against U.S. Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customers Enforcement (ICE), and several agency leaders. The lawsuit claimed a detainee from China who tested positive for tuberculosis was transported to holding centers across the state.

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