Flu activity picking up across Iowa

Flu activity is picking up across the state, public health officials said Monday.

The Iowa Department of Public Health said that influenza has been confirmed in every region of the state, and the geographic reach of the flu is now categorized as widespread — the highest level.

The Iowa Influenza Surveillance Network indicated 130 influenza-related hospitalizations — mostly among those aged 64 or greater — in the week ending Dec. 20. Additionally, several flu outbreaks have been reported in long-term care facilities, especially in central and western Iowa.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that an average of 300,000 Iowans get the flu every year, while flu and its complication of pneumonia cause an average of 1,000 deaths yearly in Iowa.

The flu season typically peaks in February and can last as late as May.

The IDPH said that the most common flu virus circulating is the influenza A (H3N2) strain, adding that the flu season tends to be more severe with more hospitalizations and deaths when that strain is predominant.

Influenza-associated hospitalizations in Iowa

Officials said the influenza A (H3N2) strain has 'drifted,' which means the flu vaccine is not as effective, said Deputy State Epidemiologist Ann Garvey.

This is not unusual, as flu strains often drift, Garvey said. However, this year, drug manufacturers had already made the vaccine by the time public health officials were aware of the drift.

The state has sent samples to the CDC to see if the drifted strain is present in Iowa but has not heard back yet, Garvey said.

'Nationally, about two-thirds of cases are drifted strains,' she said, adding it is logical to believe the drifted strain is in Iowa.

Even still, the CDC recommends flu shots for everyone 6 months of age and older. It is especially important for young children, people 65 and older and pregnant women. For those who do get the flu, anti-viral medications are an important second line of defense to treat the illness. Anti-viral medications can make flu illness shorter and reduce the risk of ending up in the hospital or dying from influenza, the IDPH said. Antivirals work best if started within 48 hours or sooner of when flu symptoms begin.

Influenza is not a reportable disease in Iowa, which means doctors are not required to notify the department of public health each time a patient tests positive for influenza.

But IDPH conducts year-round influenza surveillance through the Iowa Influenza Surveillance Network. This surveillance indicates what types of influenza viruses are circulating and how widespread influenza illness is.