Iowa’s first flu cases of the season reported

Flu season is officially underway.

The Iowa Department of Public Health reports numerous cases of influenza have been confirmed by the State Hygienic Laboratory.

Activity generally peaks from January to March, but cases can occur as late as May and as early as October.

About 300,000 Iowans contract the flu each year, according to estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, while flu and complications from pneumonia cause an average of 1,000 deaths in the state each year.

Public health officials also recommend Iowans get their annual flu vaccinations while flu activity still is low. Flu vaccinations are recommended for everyone six months of age and older. It is especially important for young children, people 65 and older and pregnant women.

More than 118 million doses of this year's flu vaccine have been distributed nationwide, according to the CDC.

The flu 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.

The flu can cause severe illness or even death in those who are very young or very old, or those who have underlying health conditions, public health officials said.

Influenza is not a 'reportable disease” in Iowa, which means doctors are not required to notify the state each time a patient tests positive for flu. However, the Iowa Department of Public Health conducts year-round flu surveillance through the Iowa Influenza Surveillance Network.

The surveillance indicates what types of flu viruses are circulating and how widespread the illness is.