An inmate at Rikers Island was confirmed Friday to have contracted swine flu, bringing the total of cases in New York to 178, state health officials say.
According to a spokesperson for the Department of Corrections, the inmate complained of a cough and fever Wednesday, and was sent to the hospital. The man's condition is said to be not serious.
So far, no other prisoners at the Bronx correctional facility have contracted the illness, officials say.
The H1N1 virus has also caused the closure of five schools in Queens.