Maroya Spalding Walters1, Nandini Sreenivasan1, Bobbie Person1, Mark Shew1, Daniel Wheeler1, Julia Hall1, Linda Bogdanow1, Karyn Leniek1, Agam Rao1. 1. Maroya Spalding Walters, Nandini Sreenivasan, Mark Shew, Daniel Wheeler, and Agam Rao are with the Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, GA. Maroya Spalding Walters and Nandini Sreenivasan are also with the Epidemic Intelligence Service, CDC. Bobbie Person is with the Office of the Director, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases. Julia Hall and Karyn Leniek are with the Utah Department of Health, Salt Lake City. Linda Bogdanow is with the Salt Lake County Health Department, Salt Lake City.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Since 2011, 3 outbreaks of botulism in US prisons have been attributed to pruno, which is an alcoholic beverage made by inmates. Following 1 outbreak, we conducted a qualitative inquiry to understand pruno brewing and its social context to inform outbreak prevention measures. METHODS: We interviewed staff, inmates, and parolees from 1 prison about pruno production methods, the social aspects of pruno, and strategies for communicating the association between botulism and pruno. RESULTS: Twenty-seven inmates and parolees and 13 staff completed interviews. Pruno is fermented from water, fruit, sugar, and miscellaneous ingredients. Knowledge of pruno making was widespread among inmates; staff were familiar with only the most common ingredients and supplies inmates described. Staff and inmates described inconsistent consequences for pruno possession and suggested using graphic health messages from organizations external to the prison to communicate the risk of botulism from pruno. CONCLUSIONS: Pruno making was frequent in this prison. Improved staff recognition of pruno ingredients and supplies might improve detection of brewing activities in this and other prisons. Consistent consequences and clear messages about the association between pruno and botulism might prevent outbreaks.
OBJECTIVES: Since 2011, 3 outbreaks of botulism in US prisons have been attributed to pruno, which is an alcoholic beverage made by inmates. Following 1 outbreak, we conducted a qualitative inquiry to understand pruno brewing and its social context to inform outbreak prevention measures. METHODS: We interviewed staff, inmates, and parolees from 1 prison about pruno production methods, the social aspects of pruno, and strategies for communicating the association between botulism and pruno. RESULTS: Twenty-seven inmates and parolees and 13 staff completed interviews. Pruno is fermented from water, fruit, sugar, and miscellaneous ingredients. Knowledge of pruno making was widespread among inmates; staff were familiar with only the most common ingredients and supplies inmates described. Staff and inmates described inconsistent consequences for pruno possession and suggested using graphic health messages from organizations external to the prison to communicate the risk of botulism from pruno. CONCLUSIONS: Pruno making was frequent in this prison. Improved staff recognition of pruno ingredients and supplies might improve detection of brewing activities in this and other prisons. Consistent consequences and clear messages about the association between pruno and botulism might prevent outbreaks.
Authors: F J Angulo; J Getz; J P Taylor; K A Hendricks; C L Hatheway; S S Barth; H M Solomon; A E Larson; E A Johnson; L N Nickey; A A Ries Journal: J Infect Dis Date: 1998-07 Impact factor: 5.226
Authors: Duc J Vugia; Sundari R Mase; Barbara Cole; John Stiles; Jon Rosenberg; Linda Velasquez; Allen Radner; Greg Inami Journal: Emerg Infect Dis Date: 2009-01 Impact factor: 6.883