Vol. 7, No. 6
July 2015
Project expands onsite testing in Black Hawk County

A unique partnership between the State Hygienic Laboratory and Black Hawk County Health Department began in March to improve testing methods and timeliness of results.

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CDC grant funds laboratories’ preparedness for Ebola and other ‘high consequence’ pathogens

A grant from CDC will fund a State Hygienic Lab program to enhance Iowa’s clinical laboratory preparedness programs for processing high consequence pathogens, including Ebola. The three-year, $440,000 grant is part of a $970,000 Iowa Department of Public Health grant that will be used to strengthen biosafety and public health programs throughout the state.

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Teachers learn lessons as externs

Each summer, a small number of Iowa teachers are chosen to spend six weeks in a business setting to learn how the things they teach are applied. These Real World Externships match science, technology and math teachers with businesses and agencies as part of the Governor’s STEM Advisory Council. This year the program sponsored a cadre of 39 STEM teachers, including three who were assigned to the State Hygienic Laboratory.

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Shigellosis outbreak continues in eastern Iowa

The State Hygienic Laboratory continues to work with the Iowa Department of Public Health and Linn County Public Health to determine the source of a large Shigellosis cluster in Linn County that began in May. As of July 24, the Hygienic Laboratory confirmed a total of 173 cases.

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UI to offer bachelor's degree in public health

Beginning fall 2016, the University of Iowa will offer a bachelor’s degree in public health, becoming the first Iowa Regents institution to host an undergraduate major in the field.
By Richard C. Lewis. Story first in IowaNow: April 23, 2015

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