Flu deaths doubled in Iowa this year, to 270, health department reports

The flu killed twice as many Iowans this winter as a year earlier, state experts reported Friday.

The Iowa Department of Public Health reported Friday that the state recorded 270 confirmed flu deaths in the season starting last fall. That compares to 133 at this point a year earlier. Just 44 flu deaths were confirmed in Iowa two winters ago. 

“This has definitely been one of our most severe seasons in a decade,” said Ann Garvey, deputy state epidemiologist.

Roughly as many Iowans were infected with the flu this winter as were infected the previous winter, but more of them became extremely sick, the department's data suggest. Many more people suffered high fevers and deadly breathing problems. Hospitalizations spiked in late December and stayed high well into February.

The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that flu-related deaths were dramatically higher nationally, reaching their highest level since at least the 2014-15 season. 

The number of new cases has fallen to a trickle in recent weeks. 

This winter’s dominant flu virus, H3N2, was especially hard on elderly people. The department recorded 90 serious outbreaks in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities this winter, compared to 56 the previous year. 

Although Iowa hospitals reported having to put some young flu patients on ventilators to keep them alive, the state did not record any child deaths directly due to the flu this year or last year. Nationally, 169 pediatric flu deaths have been reported this season, compared to 110 the previous year.

The state health department’s report shows that at least as many Iowans received flu vaccines this winter as last winter. However, this winter’s version of the vaccine was a relatively poor match for the main viruses that circulated.

Garvey said it’s too soon to tell exactly how much the vaccine issue played into the wave of hospitalizations and deaths here and nationally. She said the shots still provided some protection, and she hopes Iowans will seek the vaccines out next fall.

When to see a doctor for the flu

Scientists are seeking ways to make flu vaccines that would offer broader protection, but they don't expect those efforts to succeed soon. 

Official flu death statistics don't include all people whose deaths were related to the flu, public health experts say. The numbers only include cases in which flu was listed as an official cause on a death certificate. Sometimes flu isn't listed as a factor, even if it contributed to pneumonia or other problems that caused a death.