Seasonal influenza detected in Iowa
July 16, 2010
The Iowa Department of Public Health reports that two cases of seasonal influenza A (H3) have been identified in Johnson County by alert staff at the University of Iowa student health clinic. Though it is not unusual to identify a few sporadic cases of flu in the summer months, health professionals should be aware of the possibility for influenza infection. Recently, Pennsylvania and Hawaii also reported seasonal influenza A (H3) cases; this strain is also active in the Southern Hemisphere including Central America and South Africa.
Patients with influenza-like illness and no other apparent cause should be tested for influenza. Submit specimens to the State Hygienic Laboratory, regardless of the rapid influenza test result as these rapid tests have very poor accuracy when the level of influenza is low in the community. For information about laboratory testing, contact the lab at 319-335-4500. For all other questions regarding influenza, contact CADE at 800-362-2736.