Lab Link

Vol. 10, No. 2

Feb. 2018

Archive

April 2019

Influenza continues to be widespread across the nation in what public health officials are calling the worst flu season since 2009.

Salmonella outbreak expands, 65 infected in five states

An outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium in chicken salad that began in Iowa on Feb. 9 has spread to Illinois, Minnesota, Nebraska and Texas. CDC reported on Feb. 22 that 65 people have been infected and, of those, 28 have been hospitalized with Salmonella linked to chicken salad prepared by Triple T Specialty Meats. The product was sold in all Fareway stores in Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, Nebraska and South Dakota.

Dare to Discover campaign profiles May

Dustin May, environmental lab supervisor at the State Hygienic Laboratory, is one of 65 outstanding student researchers profiled in the University of Iowa’s 2018 Dare to Discover banner campaign.

SHL publishes Annual Report

The State Hygienic Laboratory earlier this month published its Annual Report for fiscal year 2017. The theme is “From Complexity to Clarity – Bringing Public Health Laboratory Science into Focus.”

Student tackles nitrates with floating islands

Can floating islands of plants clean nitrate pollutants from pond water? Bella Steffensmeier wanted to know how to help keep her family’s pond clean. With the help of her teacher, her accommodating parents and scientists from SHL, she began an experiment that would help her find the answer.

Reiter Kintz to present at preparedness summit

Wanda Reiter Kintz, director of the Office of Emergency Response and Preparedness, has been chosen as a presenter at an upcoming conference hosted by the National Association of County and City Health Officials.

Workshop helps clinicians practice preparedness

The State Hygienic Laboratory will present a course for Iowa clinical laboratory staff as a refresher on how to detect highly infectious agents that may be used in bioterrorism events.

New course promotes biosecurity practices

A new course designed to help clinical laboratories improve their knowledge of biosecurity practices is now available on the Training-Source.org website. “Biosecurity for Clinical Laboratories” was developed by the State Hygienic Laboratory at the University of Iowa in collaboration with the Association of Public Health Laboratories.

Panera recalls cream cheese

Panera Bread issued a nationwide recall on Jan. 29 of all its 2 oz. and 8 oz. tubs of cream cheese that were sold in its U.S. locations because of possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes.