Reporting & Investigation of Listeriosis

Table of Contents

A. Purpose of Surveillance and Reporting

To track the occurrence of listeriosis so that sources of major public health concern (e.g., food sources) may be identified and control measures initiated.

B. Laboratory and Healthcare Provider Reporting Requirements

Iowa Administrative Code 641-1.3(139) stipulates that the laboratory and the healthcare provider must report. The preferred method of reporting is by utilizing the Iowa Disease Surveillance System (IDSS).  However, if IDSS is not available to your facility, the reporting number for the Center for Acute Disease Epidemiology (CADE) is (800) 362-2736; fax number (515) 281-5698. The mailing address is:

Iowa HHS, CADE
Lucas State Office Building, 5th Floor
321 E. 12th St.
Des Moines, IA 50319-0075

Postage-paid disease reporting forms are available free of charge from the Iowa HHS clearinghouse. Call (319) 398-5133.

C. Local Public Health Agency Follow-Up Responsibilities

Case Investigation

  1. It is the LPHA or the local infection preventionist’s responsibility to complete a Listerosis case investigation by interviewing the case and others who may be able to provide pertinent information. Much of the information required can be obtained from the case’s healthcare provider or the medical record.
  2. Use the following guidelines to assist you in completing the investigation:
    • Record the demographic information, occupation (if applicable), date reported, date investigation started and date of diagnosis.
    • Record the clinical information.
    • Indicate the type of infection caused by Listeria monocytogenes. 
    • Indicate the type of specimen from which Listeria was isolated, the type of lab test used, and date the first positive culture was obtained. If other lab tests were used diagnostically (e.g., bacterial antigen screen) please indicate the type of test(s) used and date(s) tested.
    • If the case was diagnosed while pregnant or within 2 weeks of delivery, indicate outcome of pregnancy and associated dates.
    • If it is suspected that the case became infected through food and part of an outbreak, refer to IDPH Foodborne Manual.
  3. After gathering the information, the preferred method of reporting is by entering the data into the Iowa Disease Surveillance System (IDSS), or faxing the case report form to CADE’s secure fax at (515) 281-5698, or by mailing the IDSS case investigation form to:
    • Iowa Department of Public Health, CADE
      Lucas State Office Building, 5th Floor
      321 East 12th Street
      Des Moines, Iowa 50319
  4. If several attempts have been to obtain case information, but have been unsuccessful (e.g., the case or healthcare provider does not return your calls or respond to a letter, or the case refuses to divulge information or is too ill to be interviewed), enter as much information as possible. Enter into the Notes section any reason why it could not be filled out completely.  If using IDSS, select the appropriate reason under the Event tab in the Event Exception field.
  5. Institution of disease control measures is an integral part of case investigation. It is the LPHA responsibility to understand, and, if necessary, institute the control guidelines listed in the Controlling Spread tab.