(Des Moines, IA) The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services is reminding Iowans to focus on healthy habits this fall and winter to prevent the spread of respiratory viruses. With the Thanksgiving holidays fast approaching, Iowans should get vaccinated for the flu and stay up to date on COVID-19 vaccines as well as following simple routines for staying healthy.

“It’s common this time of year to see an increase in respiratory infections – which we are seeing nationwide and in Iowa. In particular, we are seeing increasing rates of RSV and influenza cases. We want Iowans to remember the tools, including getting vaccinated for the flu and COVID-19, we have to keep ourselves and our families healthy this fall and winter, especially as the weather cools and holidays approach,” said State Medical Director Dr. Robert Kruse.

COVID-19 and flu vaccines are safe, effective, and can lower the risk of illness and protect against severe complications. Staying up to date on your vaccines – both a yearly flu vaccine and an updated COVID-19 vaccine – is the best way to make sure you and your family are protected.

Even if you have not been able to get vaccinated yet, the CDC still recommends you do. Benefits of the vaccine last up to six months, which will help protect you from illness when the flu most commonly peaks in February, and through May when significant cases of flu can take place. There are no vaccines currently available to prevent RSV, although multiple products are in late stages of clinical development. RSV prevention primarily means practicing basic hygiene.

Practical Tips to Stay Healthy:

• Get vaccinated for the flu and COVID-19.
• Stay home if you are sick.
• Clean high touch surfaces in your home frequently with household disinfectants.
• Practice hand hygiene frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or hand sanitizer.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue, or if a tissue is not available, cover them with upper shirt sleeve, not a hand.
• Avoid social gatherings if you or your children are ill.
• Keep children home from daycare or school who have fever, especially with a cough, difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, congestion, runny nose, or sore throat, until they are fever-free for 24 hours without medications that reduce fever.

By getting vaccinated for both influenza and COVID-19, we can also help prevent avoidable hospitalizations and help preserve health care resources for other needs, including illnesses, injuries and emergencies. Iowans with questions about vaccines for themselves or loved ones consult with their health care provider.

Iowans should not visit the Emergency Department for cold and flu symptoms, sore throats, ear infections, minor burns or injuries, sprains and strains, rash or other skin irritations. Contact your pediatrician or healthcare provider if you or a loved one needs medical care. Your provider can offer advice on whether your child needs to be evaluated in person, tested for COVID-19 or flu, and the best location for care.

“I would also remind Iowans that antibiotics will not treat colds, flu, most sore throats, bronchitis, and many sinus and ear infections. Antibiotic resistance is a growing problem in the U.S., and the main cause of this problem is the misuse of antibiotics. Antibiotics will cure bacterial infections, such as strep throat, urinary tract infections, or whooping cough – but not the viruses we are observing to be on the rise right now. Another great reminder that these simple routines and practices above are the best defense for staying healthy,” added Dr. Kruse

Find a vaccine provider here: or https://www.vaccines.gov/.

Additional Flu and COVID-19 Vaccination information:

• Vaccinate your children ages 6 months and older against influenza as soon as possible.
• Vaccinate your children ages 6 months and older against COVID-19; children 5 and older who had their primary series more than 2 months ago should receive an updated COVID-19 booster as soon as possible.

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Iowa Credit Unions Caution Iowans to Be Aware of Smishing Attacks

IOWA — The Iowa credit union industry is warning Iowans of recent increases in texting scams aimed at stealing personal and financial information. Known as “smishing,” these fraudulent text messages appear to be from a consumer’s financial institution and try to trick them into revealing their account number or other personally identifiable information. 

According to recent reports from the Internal Revenue Service, thousands of fraudulent domains tied to multiple MMS/SMS/text scams have been reported in 2022. In recent months, smishing attempts have increased exponentially.

Smishing campaigns target mobile phone users, and the scam messages often look like they’re coming from a credit union or bank directly. Some scams may ask users to click a link to access their accounts. The sense of urgency, misspelling and need for specific financial information should all be red flags. The scammers pretend that they already know sensitive information about you, and the text may even be spoofed to display the website or phone number of the organization the scammer claims to represent.

“This is phishing on an industrial scale, and it is putting Iowans’ financial data at risk,” said Jaimie Miller, Vice President of the Iowa Credit Union League. “Consumers need to remain vigilant with suspicious text messages and report these scams as they occur. If you are uncertain about who is contacting you, get in touch with your credit union or bank directly.”

Financial institutions will never ask for personal information, including social security numbers and full account numbers. 

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has a helpful guide on how to spot text message scams here. 

Mount Pleasant Police investigated a two vehicle collision Wednesday at about 11:30 am at the intersection of Washington and Locust Streets. David Ellington of Mount Pleasant was driving west on Washington. He turned in front of a vehicle as he attempted to make a left turn onto Locust.  The second vehicle was driven by Cassandra Scott, also of Mount Pleasant, who was traveling East on n the outside lane of Washington when the collision occurred. No injuries were reported. Ellington was issued a citation for failure to yield upon a left turn.

On November 16 at approximately 6:54AM, the Henry County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a single vehicle accident in the 1200 Grid of U.S. Highway 34 near Mile marker 227 just west of Rome, Iowa. After an investigation, it was found that Olivia Le’Eetta Blessing, of Birmingham, Iowa, was traveling eastbound on U.S. 34  when she lost control of her vehicle due to a small amount of snow/ice accumulation on the roadway. The vehicle exited the roadway down into the southside ditch where it then rolled over. Olivia and a passenger sustained minor non-incapacitating injuries and were released on scene by Henry County Paramedics. The Iowa Sate Patrol assisted with this incident.