Sheriff says things are 'back to business as usual' after salmonella poisoned 320 in Broome County jail

June 7, 2026 - 11:04

The Broome County Sheriff's Office has declared the jail "back to business as usual" following a massive salmonella outbreak that infected 320 inmates. The outbreak, which swept through the facility over recent weeks, prompted a coordinated medical response that the county medical director said was critical to preventing fatalities. No deaths have been reported, but officials acknowledged that the outcome was not guaranteed without swift intervention.

The medical director emphasized that containing the outbreak required close collaboration between jail staff, public health officials, and local hospitals. Inmates who fell ill were isolated and treated, while the facility underwent thorough cleaning and sanitation procedures. The source of the salmonella contamination remains under investigation, though authorities have not released specific details about potential food or water origins.

Despite the scale of the outbreak, the sheriff's office confirmed that operations have resumed normal routines. Inmates who were quarantined have been reintegrated into the general population, and no new cases have been reported in recent days. The incident highlights the challenges of managing infectious diseases in confined environments, where close quarters can accelerate transmission. Officials are now reviewing protocols to prevent similar events in the future.