Flu activity in Iowa is considered minimal but widespread at this time with the State Hygienic Laboratory detecting six flu A, one flu A subtype pending, and four flu B cases. The number of hospitalizations continues to fall, with just 10 in the last reporting week. That is a drop from 129 hospitalizations five weeks ago, the first week of the year.

Five schools reported 10 percent or greater absenteeism due to influenza-associated illness this reporting week, two of which were in the southeast Iowa region in Wapello and Marion counties.