The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) says influenza activity in the state has been upgraded to “high” in their latest Iowa Respiratory Virus Surveillance Report. For the week spanning Dec. 4 through Dec. 10, 235 hospitalizations connected to influenza were recorded, and 277 schools in Iowa reported 10 percent or more absenteeism due to illness, including two in Sac County, four in Carroll County, one in Greene County, two in Audubon County, and two in Guthrie County. Data from recent years show flu activity typically persists through mid-March. State health officials note it is not too late to receive a seasonal flu shot, and those who have not done so yet, particularly young children, the elderly, and individuals at increased risk of complications, get vaccinated as soon as possible. People who suspect they may have the flu are encouraged to reduce its spread and stay home for at least 24 hours after a fever recedes. More data regarding Iowa flu activity is available below.
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