H3N2 seasonal flu already surfacing in Iowa

Flu cases in Eastern Iowa are getting national attention.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is citing two Iowa flu outbreaks as it advises doctors to be on the lookout for seasonal influenza.

Four members of an Iowa college sports team became ill in one outbreak last month.

In the second case, nine children in a child care center became ill with the flu, according to the CDC.

Those also happened in Eastern Iowa, but the exact areas where the cases were reported were not identified.

Tricia Kitzmann, Deputy Director for Johnson County Public Health, said three college students in an apartment were diagnosed with seasonal flu last month.

“It seemed to be self-limiting,” Kitzmann said. “It really didn't spread outside of that.”

Mike Pentella, associate director of University Hygienic Laboratory, said the Coralville-based lab has identified several cases of seasonal flu.

The lab is assisting the CDC in its investigation of H3N2 flu.

Pentella said the strain differs from the H1N1 flu that was predominant last season.

“We're doing much more testing that we've been doing before,” he said, adding that it's not unusual to see seasonal flu in the summer. “We are doing a better job looking for it.”

The CDC has identified seasonal flu cases in 12 states, including Iowa.

Pentella said the CDC will determine if the strain in Iowa matches those in the flu vaccine that is being manufactured for this season. The CDC recommends influenza vaccination as the first and most important step in protecting against the flu. However, the 2010-11 seasonal vaccine is not usually available until September or later.