Cass County Health System officials said Friday, that there have been multiple cases of influenza (flu) positively identified in community members over the last few days, bringing the total to 34 cases of Influenza A and two cases of Influenza B identified over the past two weeks. Affected patients range from 0 to 99 years of age. CCHS staff are encouraging everyone to exercise precautions to avoid contracting influenza and to contact their medical provider immediately if they experience symptoms.

Dr. Todd Bean, Chief Medical Officer with CCHS, says “Influenza is a serious respiratory illness that can progress rapidly. It is important to use good hygiene practices to avoid contracting influenza if possible, and to seek medical treatment if you think you may have the flu.”

People most at risk to develop complications from influenza include children under age 2, those over age 65, pregnant women and people with multiple health conditions or suppressed immune systems. Dr. Bean notes that true influenza is different than what people often refer to as stomach flu. Influenza is a respiratory illness caused by a virus. Antibiotics will be ineffective unless a secondary infection such as pneumonia develops as a consequence of contracting influenza. Influenza symptoms usually come on very quickly and may include fever, headache, extreme tiredness, cough, sore throat, nasal congestion, and body aches.

Dr. Bean notes that it is important to seek medical treatment quickly if you experience a sudden onset of influenza symptoms. He said “The good news is that we have medications that can reduce both the symptoms and the length of an influenza illness. However, it is most effective if the medications are started with 48 hours from when a patient begins to feel ill.”

Of course, prevention is always the best medicine. Flu vaccine is available at Atlantic Medical Center, and there is still time for it to be effective this year. No appointment is necessary. The vaccine is available in the Atlantic Medical Center Immunization Room from 8:30 – 11:00 am and 1:30 – 4 pm Monday – Friday, and 8:30 am – 11:00 am Saturday. Vaccination helps to protect not just those who are vaccinated, but also the babies under 6 months of age and others who are medically unable to receive the vaccine.

People with the flu or flu-like symptoms should not go to work, school, or other public places, including visiting hospitals and nursing homes. Everyone should practice good health habits: wash your hands frequently with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer; cover coughs and sneezes; avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with your hands; and avoid close contact with people that are sick.

Cass County Health System limits visitors to inpatients during flu season, asking anyone with flu-like symptoms to stay home. Parents are asked to not bring young children and infants to visit hospital patients throughout the flu season, typically until the end of March.

According to the Iowa Department of Public Health, there were four influenza-related deaths in Iowa reported on January 5, making a total of six deaths since October 2017. The average age of those individuals was 86; three were reported to have had underlying conditions or other contributing factors.

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Department of Natural Resources will hold an informational meeting in West Des Moines to discuss a planned tree harvest from a central Iowa state park campground site.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A major Iowa grocery retailer has announced it will no longer allow its employees to use tobacco products on company property, including stores in Nebraska.

Des Moines television station KCCI reports that Fareway Food Stores implemented the policy, effective Monday. Under the new policy, smoking and the use of any other tobacco or tobacco-like products such as electronic cigarettes and chewing tobacco is banned on all company property.

Store officials say employees will only be allowed to use FDA-approved nicotine products aimed to help smokers quit.

Caitlyn Ferin, a member of Fareway’s Corporate Wellness Team, says it’s important to the company to “create a healthy work environment for our employees.”

Fareway operates more than 100 stores in Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota, Illinois and Minnesota.

w/ Chris Parks

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The Red Oak Police Department reports the arrest of 44-year-old James Reed Mitroff II on Friday at 10:10pm for Public Intoxication. He was arrested in the 800 block of East Reed Street in Red Oak. Mitroff II was taken to the Montgomery County Jail and held on $300 bond.

WEBB, Iowa (AP) — Authorities in northwestern Iowa say a 39-year-old Milford man has died in a snowmobile crash. The Sioux City Journal reports that Justin Robert Stahly died Thursday night after the snowmobile he was driving north along the Little Sioux River crashed into a tree.

The Clay County Sheriff’s Office says first responders were sent to the crash site shortly after 8 p.m. Thursday. Officials say efforts were made to save Stahly, but he died at the scene near the town of Webb.

Officials with the Cass County Memorial Hospital in Atlantic, have announced the first baby born at CCMH in 2018, belongs to Tammy and Brandon Montgomery, of Fontanelle. Their daughter Allyson, was born on January 3rd.

The OB Department at CCMH presented the Montgomery family with a year’s supply of diapers, an embroidered 2018 blanket, and a certificate to commemorate Allyson being the New Year’s Baby.

Proud big sister, Bailey, holds the blanket. Britni Olson, RN, and Dr. Angela Weppler were on hand for the celebration.

Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) has announced the launch of her 99 county tour for 2018 which includes public events in Montgomery and Boone counties. Ernst says “In 2017 I heard from Iowans who were concerned about skyrocketing taxes, the rising costs of health care, and the harmful impacts of burdensome regulations. Throughout the year, I worked to translate those concerns into action in Washington,” said Senator Ernst. “While we have made some gains on behalf of Iowans, there is more work to be done in 2018. I am looking forward to my fourth 99 county tour as a U.S. Senator to continue hearing directly from Iowans so we can build on the progress we’ve made.”

Details for the Montgomery County event are as follows:

“Coffee with Joni”, 2-p.m. Sunday, January 14, 2018, at the Montgomery County Family YMCA (101 East Cherry Street), in Red Oak.

In an update to our previous reports, Council Bluffs Police have identified the suspect allegedly involved in the robbery of a convenience store at around 3-a.m. Today (Friday). Officials had taken 23-year old Matthew A. Campbell, a transient, into custody for questioning, after he was found hiding in a pickup not far from where the incident occurred. Campbell was being held in the Pottawattamie County Jail on a charge of robbery.

Campbell,Matthew

Officers were dispatched to the Kwik Shop at 1749 W. Broadway for a reported robbery. Upon arrival officers made contact with the victim. The victim said he was returning to the store after taking out the trash, when the suspect (Campbell) approached the victim and displayed a handgun ordering the victim back into the store. Once inside the store Campbell demanded money. The victim gave Campbell money out of the register. There were no injuries reported.

Campbell left the store and fled west and then south. The victim told officers that he noticed a red Chevy truck pass the store a short time prior to the robbery. While officers were checking the area for the suspect they located a red Chevy truck. The truck had no plates and when officers investigated further they located the man later identified as Campbell, hiding on the floor of the truck attempting to hide under a coat. He was was transported to the Criminal Investigation Division for further questioning. Inside the truck, officers located under a seat, a firearm matching the description given by the victim.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The jackpot for the Mega Millions lottery game has climbed to $450 million, just hours before the drawing. The top prize was raised ahead of the drawing Friday night. Lottery officials also increased the jackpot of Powerball, the other national lottery game, to $570 million. That drawing will be Saturday night. The jackpots refer to the annuity options for both games, in which payments are made over 29 years. Most winners opt for cash options, which would be $281 million for Mega Millions and $358.5 million for Powerball.

The odds of winning the Mega Millions jackpot is one in 302.5 million. Powerball has odds of one in 292.2 million. Both games are played in 44 states plus Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Puerto Rico also participates in Powerball.