Officials with the Iowa Department of Public Health said today (Friday), that the spread and severity of influenza is building in Iowa. The department said there have been four new influenza-related deaths: an elderly (81+ years of age) female and older adult (61 to 80 years of age) female in Southeast Iowa; an elderly female in Northeast Iowa; and an elderly male in Northwest Iowa.

Since October 2017, a total of six influenza-related deaths have been reported:

Northeast (one death)
Northwest (two deaths)
Southeast (two deaths)
Eastern (one death)
The average age of the influenza-related deaths is 86. Three individuals had underlying conditions or contributing factors reported.

State Epidemiologist and IDPH Medical Director, Dr. Patricia Quinlisk said “These deaths are a sad reminder that influenza hits the very young, very old and those with weakened immune systems especially hard. While it’s important that these individuals get the flu vaccine, it’s equally important that young and healthy Iowans be vaccinated so they don’t spread the flu to others who may be at higher risk.” The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends anyone over 6 months of age receive a flu vaccination. Quinlisk says if you have not received a flu shot yet, it’s not too late. Go get vaccinated today.

Because influenza is not a “reportable” disease in Iowa, doctors are not required to notify IDPH each time a case is diagnosed; however, IDPH conducts influenza surveillance that helps identify what strains of flu are circulating, how widespread illness is, and in what regions of the state illness is occurring. While cases of influenza are not reportable, influenza-related deaths are reported to IDPH. Influenza can be prevented or its severity diminished with the flu vaccine. The flu is a respiratory illness caused by viruses. It comes on suddenly and symptoms may include fever, headache, tiredness, cough, sore throat, nasal congestion and body aches. Illness typically lasts two to seven days, and often puts healthy people in bed for days.

If flu symptoms start, call your health care provider right away – especially if you are at high risk of complications and serious disease. If you start on anti-viral medications within a day or two of when your symptoms start, your risk of serious disease, hospitalization and even death can be reduced.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say a 4-year-old child has been found safe inside a sport utility that had been stolen in Sioux City. Sioux City station KTIV reports that the owner told police that the child was inside the running SUV when it was taken early Friday morning near Briar Cliff University. The vehicle was soon found abandoned, and the child was returned home.

No arrest has been reported. The child’s name hasn’t been released.

LARCHWOOD, Iowa (AP) — Water from frozen water pipes that burst has damaged a casino resort in northwest Iowa. Subzero temperatures outside froze the fire system pipes at the Grand Falls Casino & Golf Resort in Larchwood. The water released last Saturday damaged 18 of the hotel’s 97 rooms, a meeting room and the men’s portion of the spa.

General Manager Sharon Haselhoff told the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission on Thursday the repair costs could run between $500,000 and $1 million. Haselhoff isn’t sure when the repairs will be finished but says everything at the resort casino is back in operation, including the fire suppression system and the spa. The casino opened in 2011.

A female from Creston reported to Police today (Friday), that sometime between 4:30-and 7-p.m. Thursday, someone stole a Series 1, black, Apple Smart Watch from her locker, at school. The watch was valued at $250. No arrests have been reported.

The Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office reports a man from eastern Iowa was arrested Thursday night on theft and burglary charges, following a traffic stop and pursuit. Authorities say 40-year old Zac Bratzel, of Marion, was arrested near 255th St. and Pecan Ave. in Guthrie County. He faces multiple charges related to two vehicle pursuits, a motor vehicle theft and burglary from Guthrie Center REC, along with drug charges. Bratzel was being held at the Guthrie County Jail awaiting an appearance before the Guthrie County Magistrate.

The incident leading to his arrest began when Bratzel fled from a Guthrie County Sheriff’s deputy following an attempted traffic stop west of Guthrie Center on Highway 44. The deputy tried to stop Bratzel’s vehicle, which was clocked at 109 MPH. The deputy pursued Bratzel into Guthrie Center and lost sight of the fleeing vehicle. At approximately 10-p.m, Thursday, a Guthrie Center citizen reported a vehicle theft in progress from Guthrie Center REC.

Law enforcement responded to the area and located the stolen REC vehicle as it was fleeing the scene south of Guthrie Center on gravel roads. After a short pursuit, the stolen vehicle pulled over and Bratzel was taken into custody without further incident.  The sheriff’s office was assisted by the Panora Police Department and the Iowa State Patrol. All criminal charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in the court of law.