TERRE HAUTE, Ind. — One prison inmate has died and nine others have been transferred to Terre Haute Regional Hospital because of a possible viral outbreak at the Putnamville Correctional Facility in western Indiana.

The inmates under observation have a variety of flu or pneumonia-like symptoms, including fatigue, joint aches, sweats, cough and sore throat.

At the beginning of last week, prison superintendent Brian Smith reported, offenders began showing viral-type symptoms, which is not unusual for this time of year. The inmates were admitted to a medical observation unit, which is part of the Indiana Department of Correction’s influenza control plan. But as symptoms worsened, several inmates were sent to the hospital. About nine inmates remained in the medical observation unit at the prison.

One man with “rapidly progressive symptoms” died at the hospital on Friday, according to Smith’s statement. His name could be released as early as today.

Hospital officials released a statement about treatment of the inmates on Sunday evening.

Safety precautions being taken at the prison facility to protect the offender population and staff include isolation, bleaching of the unit and precautionary masks.

Visitation at the facility has been cancelled until future notice.

The Putnamville prison was established in 1914 as a work camp. It is now a medium security facility with an average daily population of about 2,500 inmates, residing in dormitory housing.

The (Indiana) Tribune-Star contributed to this report.