Six Iowa Residents Have Died From the Flu So Far This Season

The flu is currently making its way across Iowa, and it's already killed multiple people.

The Daily Nonpareil reports:

There have been 110 reported cases of influenza A and 94 cases of influenza B during the 2019-2020 flu season, which started Sept. 29, according to the Iowa Department of Public Health and Pottawattamie County Public Health Administrator Maria Sieck. Six people have died from the flu in Iowa.

112 of the flu cases have lead to hospitalization so far. Although none have been reported in Scott County, the rate of positive tests in Eastern Iowa is rising, says IDPH's weekly flu report. Additionally, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), an illness that can be fatal in children, is also prevalent in Eastern Iowa, with 41 percent of Rapid RSV tests coming back positive in the last week.

So what exactly falls under the umbrella of "the flu?"

According to the Department of Public Health, the flu is a respiratory illness that's caused by a virus. Symptoms vary, but usually include headache, fever, lethargy, congestion, cough, sore throat, and body aches.

The elderly and small children are the most at risk of death from the illness.