Health Department Releases Report on Roosevelt Illness

This morning the Polk County Health Department released a summary of their investigation into an illness that resulted from a catered luncheon at Roosevelt High School two weeks ago today, leading to about half of the school’s faculty members feeling sick and the early dismissal of classes.

Des Moines Public Schools appreciates the health department’s prompt involvement and thorough investigation. We are relieved this is an isolated incidence of food borne illness, that our teachers reported only short-term illnesses, and that no students were involved.

The health department did not identify a specific point in time between the catered food preparation and the school’s food handling as being responsible for the presence of a bacteria.

However, the district plans to take advantage of this opportunity to remind our schools and everyone about the importance of always following food safety guidelines.

For a copy of what was released by the health department, click here.