Three Iowans have died from influenza this season, but the overall activity involving flu-like illness remains light. The mild weather may be a contributing factor, according to Patricia Quinlisk at the Department of Public Health.
"We've had flu around Iowa for about a month, a month and a half now, we've certainly had people hospitalized, but it’s been staying at a pretty low level, probably part of that is we've just been so warm. We know that the flu really likes cold weather."
The health department’s latest flu report shows no influenza outbreaks in Iowa long-term care facilities so far in this season. Four schools have reported ten percent or greater absenteeism due to flu-like symptoms.