By C1 Staff
BILLINGS, Mt. — A former state correctional officer is suing Montana after she says she contracted a virus while working in the Montana Women’s Prison that then infected her unborn child.
The Independent Record reports that Brittany Mumm contracted cytomegalovirus, or CMV, which then was passed on to her daughter. Her daughter suffered severe neurological damage.
Mumm accuses the prison of negligence due to knowledge of a high concentration of CMV at the prison, but did nothing to alert staff. She also asserts that the prison did not provide adequate protection in the form of clothing, gear or appropriate cleaning materials.
Policies at the jail require staff to be trained on bloodborne and airborne pathogens, along with HIV-related information. The prison also agrees in the policy to provide staff with all necessary supplies to protect employees from pathogens, including protective and sanitation equipment.
CMV is the most common viral infection that infants are born with in the U.S., but a specialist in infectious diseases at St. Vincent Healthcare said the virus is fairly benign. Only 1 in 5 infants exposed to the virus will have permanent developmental disabilities.
Mumm is suing for personal injury damages and court costs, but an amount is not specified.