Influenza A has been an issue for lots of people this winter season.

According to the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, there has been a 200-percent increase in influenza cases from January 2024 to January 2025, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has categorized Iowa as having “very high” flu activity. Greene County Public Health Director Shelby Cooklin is seeing similar trends happening in Greene County. She tells Raccoon Valley Radio some of the reasons include being in the heart of flu season, more people are gathering indoors due to the colder weather, along with these two other factors.

“We are seeing a particularly contagious strain of Influenza A and it spreads very quickly. There’s also the issue of lower influenza vaccination rates this year. And then there is a possibility that there could be a mismatch between the circulating strains and what we’ve been vaccinating for. Which isn’t necessarily saying that the vaccine isn’t working, it just might not work as well.” 

Cooklin advises these measures to prevent the spread of not only influenza but other illnesses is by getting a flu vaccine, washing hands frequently, covering coughs and sneezes, staying home when sick and drink plenty of water and rest, as well as disinfecting high touch surfaces and seeking medical care if symptoms worsen.