Health And Fitness

Oven Canning- UNSAFE

Preserving food by canning in the oven has been a hot topic this summer.  It seems everyone is looking for a shortcut to preserve food at home.  Oven canning is NOT a safe s...

Antioxidant: Vitamin A

Vitamin A is an antioxidant. Antioxidants are substances that may protect your cells against the effects of free radicals. Free radicals are molecules produced when your body breaks down food, or ...

Red Cross blood drive set for Wednesday

Red Cross is sponsoring a blood drive today, Wednesday, August 7, from 1:30-6:00 p.m. at the Vinton Skate Center.  Walk-ins are welcome.  Special refreshments today are rootbeer floats.&...

Intro to Antioxidants

Introduction Antioxidants are man-made or natural substances that may prevent or delay some types of cell damage. Diets high in vegetables and fruits, which are good sources of antioxidants, hav...

U.S. breastfeeding rates continue to rise

U.S. breastfeeding rates continue to rise Keeping moms and babies together during the hospital stay is important to progress Breastfeeding rates have continued to rise over the past decade...

Cyclospora Update: Source Identified

IDPH, CDC, Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals, the State Hygienic Laboratory and local public health agencies are investigating an outbreak caused by Cyclospora. The epidemiologic inves...

Ticks Likely Source for New Heartland Virus

What is a phlebovirus? "Phlebovirus" is the name for a family of related viruses. Viruses in this family are found all over the world. Some of these viruses can cause people to get sic...

Investigation of an Outbreak of Cyclosporiasis in the US

Outbreak map of cyclospora Updated by CDC: 7/26/13 On June 28, 2013, CDC was notified of 2 laboratory-confirmed cases of Cyclospora infection in Iowa residents who had become ill in June and did not have a history of in...

IDPH Investigates Increase in Salmonella Cases

Illness can be avoided by proper food preparation   Over the past several weeks, the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) and local public health agencies have received 26 reports ...

Fair Time: Start a Healthy Eating Plan

It’s always fun to attend the annual Benton County Fair to ride the rides, visit the displays, see the farm animals, maybe catch a race, and try a sampling of delicious fried treats. If you&r...