Six inmates with Legionnaires’ disease

Prison officials say they have confirmed six San Quentin State Prison inmates are ill with Legionnaires’ disease.

State corrections department spokeswoman Dana Simas said Sunday another 51 inmates are under observation at the prison’s medical unit.

Simas says cooking at the prison has stopped because Legionella bacteria grow in water and spread through water molecules. Inmates are being served boxed meals.

Water use at California’s oldest prison has been limited since last week, when an inmate was hospitalized with a confirmed case of the disease. Officials brought in portable toilets, bottled water and large water tanks to serve thousands of inmates and employees.

Symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease typically include high fever, chills and a cough.