The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) has released its first report on hepatitis C infection in Iowa. Hepatitis C is the leading cause of liver cancer and liver transplants in the U.S. A comparison of data from 2000 to 2015 shows the number of Iowans diagnosed with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection increased nearly three-fold, from 754 cases in 2000 to 2,235 cases in 2015.

The number of HCV diagnoses among those between the ages of 18 and 30 has more than quadrupled since 2009, with 303 diagnoses in 2015. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), most people with HCV infection don’t have any symptoms and therefore are not tested or diagnosed. Because of this, the number of Americans and Iowans who are infected with hepatitis C is likely much higher than the report indicates.

According to Randy Mayer, Chief of the IDPH Bureau of HIV, STD, and Hepatitis, the increase in diagnoses is expected and is a positive sign. “These data indicate that Iowans are getting tested and referred to treatment by their medical providers. Everyone born between 1945 and 1965 and anyone who has ever injected non-prescription drugs, even once, should be tested for hepatitis C.”

The majority (63 percent) of Iowans reported with HCV were between the ages of 45 and 64. This mirrors national data, and has prompted the CDC to recommend anyone born between 1945 and 1965 talk to their doctor about being tested for Hepatitis C.

CDC also recommends testing for HCV if:
You ever injected non-prescription drugs, even if you injected only one time or many years ago.
You were treated for a blood clotting problem before 1987.
You received a blood transfusion or organ transplant before July 1992.
You are on long-term hemodialysis treatment.
You have abnormal liver tests or liver disease.
You work in health care or public safety and were exposed to blood through a needlestick or other sharp object injury.
You are infected with HIV.

Over 55 percent of Iowans between the ages 18 and 64 who have HCV live in one of six counties: Polk, Linn, Scott, Woodbury, Pottawattamie, and Black Hawk.

Hepatitis C is a liver infection; today, most people become infected with the Hepatitis C virus by sharing needles or other equipment to inject drugs. For some people, hepatitis C is a short-term illness, but for 70 to 85 percent of people who become infected with hepatitis C, it becomes a long-term, chronic infection. Chronic hepatitis C is a serious disease than can result in long-term health problems, even death. There is no vaccine for hepatitis C; however, there are highly effective and curative treatments available for hepatitis C with few of the side effects that previous medications had. The best way to prevent hepatitis C is by avoiding behaviors that can spread the disease, especially injecting drugs.

To see the Epidemiological Profile of Hepatitis C in Iowa and to learn more about HCV, visit www.idph.iowa.gov/hivstdhep/hep.

The Adair County Sheriff’s Office reports five arrests over the past week. At around 8-a.m. on Feb. 6th, an Iowa State Patrol Trooper stopped a vehicle on eastbound Interstate 80 at mile marker 81 in Adair County. As he spoke with 22-year old Raymond Wylie Smith, of Washington, MO., the Trooper noticed what appeared to be a large bud of marijuana in the center console of the vehicle. Smith confirmed the Trooper’s suspicions, and a K9 search of the vehicle was conducted, which resulted in the recovery of additional substances believed to be marijuana, along with numerous pieces of drug paraphernalia. Smith was taken into custody for Possession of a Controlled Substance and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He was later released from the Adair County Jail on a $1,000 bond.

46-year old Charles Ray Balius, of Creston, was arrested in Adair County Friday night, following a traffic stop at the intersection of 180th Street and Highway 25. He was taken into custody for OWI/3rd offense, open container of alcohol in a vehicle, and Driving While License Revoked for OWI Test Refusal. Balius was later released on $5,000 bond.

Saturday morning, 22-year old Dain Elise Saxton, of Leon, was arrested on an Adair County warrant for Harassment in the 3rd Degree. She was later released on $300 bond. Saturday afternoon, 38-year old Brandon Eugene Rudolf, of Leon, was arrested in Greenfield, for Driving While License Suspended. And, 38-year old Michael Ross Waddingham, of Orient, was arrested in Orient, for Driving While Barred. He was later released on a $2,000 bond.

Police in Creston report seven people were arrested on separate charges during the period spanning Friday through Sunday. Sunday night, 35-year old Nicholas Giesken, and 39-year old Stephanie Giesken, both of Creston, were arrested for Interference with Official Acts and Violation of a Protective Order. Stephanie Giesken was being held in the Ringgold County Jail while awaiting a bond hearing. Nicholas Giesken was being held in the Union County Jail, also awaiting a bond hearing.

Early Sunday morning, 26-year old James Randolph, of Columbus, OH, and 28-year old Joshua Palmer, of Creston, were arrested in Creston. Both were charged with Disorderly Conduct, Public Intoxication and Interference with Official Acts. Both men were later released on $300 bond, each.

Friday night, 33-year old Clay Pettit, of Creston, was arrested for Domestic Assault. He was later released on $300 bond. 27-year old Kyle Hoadley, and 26-year old Kristen Oliphant, both of Creston, were arrested Friday night on Trespass charges. Both were cited and then released on a Promise to Appear in Court.