(FORT MADISON) – A staff member at the Iowa State Penitentiary at Ft. Madison became extremely ill Friday, after coming into contact with an unknown substance. The substance is believed to have come from a bottle of eye drops. Other staff at the institution quickly quarantined the substance, and the staff member was taken to the local hospital. The woman’s condition stabilized, and she was released to recover at home.

The substance that is suspected to have caused the staff member to become ill has been submitted to the State Crime Lab in Ankeny for testing by the Division of Criminal Investigations.

The incident remains under investigation.