(TOWN OF DICKINSON, NY) On Thursday, the Broome County Sheriff’s Office and the Broome County Health Department provided the public with the latest update on the coordinated response to the outbreak of Salmonella that hit the Broome County Correctional Facility in May of 2026.
Medical Update
After 11 days, operations at Broome County Correctional Facility have largely returned to normal, while increased medical staff remains vigilant in treating individuals recovering from Salmonella infection.
“We’re seeing some lingering symptoms, but overall, everything is well within the right direction,” said Dr. Jason Croad, Assistant Medical Director for PrimeCare Medical, Inc., the medical provider at the Broome County Correctional Facility. “Overall, we are looking much, much better.”
Over the past weekend, over 120 intravenous hydration treatments were conducted, with individuals identified as high-risk by medical staff was put on antibiotics. Ten individuals were hospitalized for treatment related to Salmonella infection. To date, eight have returned from the hospital, with two still receiving treatment.
“The response to this outbreak was fast and appropriate,” said Dr. Lazarus Gehring, Broome County Health Department Medical Director. “As someone who was treating patients both at the hospital and at the facility, the coordination with the community was amazing. With the amount of patients hospitalized and on antibiotics, based on history regarding Salmonella outbreaks in general and the population of the Broome County Jail from a medical standpoint, we would have expected to see some mortality in the range of 8-12 people. That is not the case thanks to all the work performed by the staff at UHS, PrimeCare Medical, Broome County
Officer of Emergency Services, the Broome County Correctional Facility Staff and the Broome County Department of Health. The State Health Department noted that this is some of the best outbreak management we could have seen.”
Source of the Infection
While investigation into the infection by the Broome County Health Department is ongoing, PCR testing of meals from before, during and after the outbreak showed a positive result for Salmonella in sample of a chicken salad meal served on Sunday, May 24, 2026. No other meals have tested positive.
The Broome County Health Department investigated the preparation of this meal via security cameras, interviews and testing, identifying multiple violations related to food preparation and storage that could have led to the outbreak. The lack of temperature checks, improper storage and cooking methods, improper handwashing and hygiene practices by food service workers, along with improper cleaning and sanitizing of equipment and utensils were all found to have been potential contributing factors.
“Several of the violations identified during this investigation are repeat violations that have previously been cited to the food vendor, particularly those involving the cooling of food,” said Broome County Director of Public Health, Olivia Catalano. “Similar violations were documented in June 2024 and April 2023, but whenever violations are identified, our staff provide education and corrective guidance to facility personnel. Critical violations must be corrected immediately and may result in closure if they pose an imminent public health risk. Minor violations must also be corrected within the timeframe established by the health department. Copies of inspection and complaint investigation reports are provided to the food vendor following review and discussion of the findings.”
The Health Department will continue working with the New York State Department of Health on additional laboratory testing to determine whether the Salmonella strain identified among the inmate population matches the Salmonella detected in the chicken salad, with the results expected in the coming week.
The Broome County Health Department found no issues or concerns after investigating the water quality at the Correctional Facility.
“Our focus remains on ensuring the health and safety of those recovering from this outbreak, but we are also examining every factor that may have caused this incident and working to make sure it never happens again,” said Sheriff Fred Akshar.
Dispelling False Claims
Sheriff Akshar also took the time to dispel recent falsehoods and unsubstantiated claims shared by major media outlets.
Video footage from security cameras around the facilities was released to refute claims of unsafe or unavailable water, lack of medical attention, laundry services and improper facility deep cleaning by Servpro. Video also shows correctional facility staff distributing pallets of additional water and electrolyte packets throughout the facility.
“The fact is that every incarcerated person has full, unrestricted and unlimited access to clean, safe water and we have the tests to prove it,” said Sheriff Akshar. “Conservatively, we distributed over 13,000 bottles of water and over 10,000 electrolyte packets to help provide additional hydration throughout our facility.”
“As public servants, we have a duty to be transparent, to speak truth,” Akshar continued. “I would beg of all of you in the Press Corps, you too have a responsibility to do that. Not focus on clicks. Not focus on likes, but focus on disseminating truthful and factual information to the public who so desperately need that.”
