IOWA, USA — Iowa's recorded its first influenza-related death of the 2023-24 flu season, the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services announced Friday.
The deceased person was in the 61- to 80-year-old age range and lived in southern Iowa.
Iowa's most recent Flu Report shows that the state's influenza strains are circulating at a "low level of activity", but HHS emphasized there are precautions all Iowans can take to keep it that way.
“During respiratory virus season, it’s important for Iowans to prioritize their health and the well-being of their community,” State Medical Director Robert Kruse said in a statement. “Iowans should practice good hygiene, stay home when they’re sick and consult their healthcare providers about vaccines and other preventive measures against influenza and other respiratory diseases."
HHS shared that vaccines against flu, COVID-19, RSV and more are key to keeping yourself and others safe.
They also shared a few tips to prevent spreading sickness:
- Stay home if you are sick
- Keep sick children home
- Frequently disinfect high-touch surfaces in your home
- Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
- Use hand sanitizer
- Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or an upper shirt sleeve
- Do not attend social gatherings you or anyone in your household feels sick