Influenza (flu) is a contagious illness caused by influenza viruses. Flu primarily affects the respiratory tract (e.g., nose, throat, chest, and lungs). The resources found in these web pages provide information for health professionals and the general public to help reduce the spread of flu in Iowa. The best way to reduce the risk of flu and its possible serious consequences is to get vaccinated for flu every year. See the Iowa HHS influenza vaccine page for more information.
Individual cases of influenza are not reportable in Iowa although the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (Iowa HHS) does require that cases of novel influenza and influenza outbreaks be reported. As most case of flu are not reported, Iowa HHS relies on voluntary reporting from laboratories, schools, vital records, hospitals, care facilities, and outpatient health clinics to monitor influenza activity in Iowa. Please contact Andy Weigel at andy.weigel@hhs.iowa.gov to find out more about becoming a surveillance site. The Iowa HHS influenza program summarizes all of this flu data in regular surveillance reports.
Respiratory Reports
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Current Issue
Respiratory Virus Report - Week 42, 2024
Prior flu reports are available on Iowa Publications Online