SPRINGFIELD – Inmates at two Illinois prisons are being keptlocked in their cells because of an outbreak of the flu.

The Illinois Department of Corrections placed Graham CorrectionalCenter in Hillsboro on lockdown Monday because several inmates werecomplaining of flu symptoms. Danville Correctional Center has beenlocked down since last week after some prisoners came down withchills, fevers and respiratory ailments.

Corrections spokeswoman Sharyn Elman said officials are treatingthe ill inmates at the two medium-security lockups and trying tokeep the flu from spreading by keeping prisoners in their cells.the department temporarily has stopped allowing visitors at the twoprisons.

“We’ve been following all of the pandemic protocols,” Elmansaid.

Graham, which has 1,900 inmates, has several special programs,including one for inmates undergoing kidney dialysis. Elman said itis important to keep the flu contained until it runs itscourse.

“You just don’t want it to spread,” Elman said.

Although the lockdown at Graham is in its early stages, Elman saidthe agency thinks inmates at Danville are on their way torecovery.