The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) today (Monday), announced a new joint initiative with the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals (DIA) that should reduce the impact of reported foodborne illness in Iowa. IDPH Medical Director, Dr. Patricia Quinlisk says “These departments have joined forces to establish a statewide one-call system Iowans can use to report illnesses associated with food poisoning. Once a call is made to the IowaSic hotline (1-844-469-2742), trained specialists will begin an investigation into the cause and source of the illness, which could greatly reduce the number of ill Iowans.”  

The 2013 Cyclospora outbreak, which was responsible for sickening at least 127 individuals in Iowa, Nebraska, and other Midwest states, is a good example of how foodborne illness investigations are conducted. During the 2013 outbreak, epidemiologists and food safety specialists, working in collaboration with the State Hygienic Laboratory (SHL), were able to trace the cause of the Cyclospora outbreak to fresh produce grown and packaged in Mexico. The contaminated product had been distributed to a national restaurant chain where it eventually was consumed by patrons primarily in Iowa and Nebraska.

Dr. Quinlisk said “Iowa was the first state to positively identify the cause of the outbreak, which permitted the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to trace it back to the source. Had the IowaSic hotline and supporting processes been in place in 2013, it’s possible the duration and impact of the outbreak could have been reduced.”

The IowaSic hotline will be answered by IDPH specialists who will ask callers about the illness, symptoms, onset and duration, and also complete a history of all foods consumed for the past several days. Illnesses associated with foods purchased from or consumed at food establishments will be investigated by staff in DIA’s Food and Consumer Safety Bureau.

Food poisoning happens after eating or drinking contaminated foods or beverages, and occur at any time throughout the food preparation process, including growing, distribution processes, storage, cooking, and service. Often, foodborne illness is the result of cross-contamination, poor hygiene, or improper heating and cooling of prepared foods. If you suspect food poisoning after consuming an item from a restaurant, grocery store, convenience store, market or public gathering, call IDPH’s IowaSic hotline at 1-844-469-2742.

Adair County Sheriff Jeff Vandewater reports a man from Bridgewater was arrested Thursday evening on an Adair County warrant for Ongoing Criminal Conduct/Criminal Network, Gathering where controlled substances are used, and Possession of a Controlled Substance/2nd offense. 61-year old James Jeffrey Reese was released from custody Sunday evening on part or all of a $25,000 cash or surety bond.

And, 53-year old Patrick Russell Darling, of Greenfield, was arrested last Wednesday afternoon on a charge of Theft in the 5th Degree, for allegedly taking a bottle of vodka from the Greenfield Fareway Store without paying for it. Darling was later released on his own recognizance.

Creston Police are investigating two incidents of vandalism and two reports of theft. Officials say on Saturday, a Creston man reported that sometime between Oct. 13th and 15th, someone broke out both front windows of his truck. The damage was estimated at $300.

Last Friday, a resident of the 600 block of S. Pine Street reported someone took two chainsaws from his shed. The theft, which occurred sometime between 10-p.m. Thursday and 10-a.m. Friday, resulted in a loss of $600. Also on Friday, a resident of the 200 block of N. Birch Street, in Creston, reported someone broke into his vehicle and stole a stereo system. The incident occurred sometime between 11:30-p.m. Thursday and 8:30-a.m., Friday. The loss was estimated at $100.

And, on Thursday, a Creston resident reported that sometime between 11-p.m. Wednesday and 1-a.m. Thursday, someone broke a section of his fence. The incident happened in the 500 block of S. Walnut Street, and resulted in an estimated loss of $150.