Flu Building In Iowa, 4 More Dead: Health Department

DES MOINES, IA — A flu report issued by the Iowa Department of Public Health says four more people have died of influenza this season, bringing the total to six since October. The spread and severity of flu in the state is building, the department reported.

The health department's Center for Acute Disease Epidemiology also reported today that outpatient visits for influenza-like illness were higher last week across the state than last season’s peak, and about 25 percent of the more than 2,000 rapid flu tests done last week were positive for influenza.

The state health laboratory confirmed influenza in 131 of 158 samples sent to them last week — a number higher than last season’s peak week. In addition, 21 influenza outbreaks in long-term care facilities have been investigated so far this season, the center reported.

The four latest influenza-related deaths include three elderly females, which the department classifies as 81 or older, and an older woman, in the range of 61 to 80 years. Two of the deaths were in southeast Iowa and one each in the northwest and northeast areas of the state.

The health department said the average age of the influenza-related deaths is 86. Three of the six victims had underlying conditions or contributing factors reported.

“These deaths are a sad reminder that influenza hits the very young, very old and those with weakened immune systems especially hard,” said Dr. Patricia Quinlisk, state epidemiologist and health department medical director. “While it’s important that these individuals get the flu vaccine, it’s equally important that young and healthy Iowans be vaccinated so they don’t spread the flu to others who may be at higher risk.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends anyone over 6 months of age receive a flu vaccination. If you have not received a flu shot yet, it’s not too late.

Because influenza is not a “reportable” disease in Iowa, doctors are not required to notify the health department each time a case is diagnosed; however, the state conducts influenza surveillance that helps identify what strains of flu are circulating, how widespread the illness is, and in what regions of the state illness is occurring. While cases of influenza are not reportable, influenza-related deaths are reported to the department.

Influenza can be prevented or its severity diminished with the flu vaccine. The flu is a respiratory illness caused by viruses. It comes on suddenly and symptoms may include fever, headache, tiredness, cough, sore throat, nasal congestion and body aches. Illness typically lasts two to seven days, and often puts healthy people in bed for days.

If flu symptoms start, call your health care provider right away — especially if you are at high risk of complications and serious disease. If you start on anti-viral medications within a day or two of when your symptoms start, your risk of serious disease, hospitalization and even death can be reduced.

Read more about signs and symptoms of flu and treatment protocols on the health department website.

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