Respiratory Virus Activity in Iowa: A Mixed Picture for March 2026

Des Moines, Iowa – Respiratory virus activity remains elevated across Iowa as of the week ending March 7, 2026, according to the latest surveillance report from the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Whereas overall acute respiratory syndrome-related emergency department visits have slightly decreased, influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) cases are on the rise.

Current Respiratory Virus Trends

COVID-19

COVID-19 activity continues to decline in Iowa. Laboratory data indicates that 3.6% of tests were positive for the virus, a decrease of 1.1 percentage points from the previous week. COVID-19 accounted for 0.8% of emergency department visits and 1.1% of inpatient visits. To date, the state has recorded 111 cumulative COVID-19 deaths during the 2025-26 respiratory season. No new outbreaks have been reported in long-term care facilities this week.

Influenza

In contrast to COVID-19, influenza activity is increasing statewide. 19% of influenza tests were positive, up 1.4 percentage points from the prior week. Influenza-related visits accounted for 3.3% of emergency department visits and 1.3% of inpatient visits. The State Hygienic Laboratory reported 635 positive influenza tests for the week, with 493 cases of influenza A and 103 cases of influenza B. Of the influenza A cases, 11 were identified as H1N1pdm09 and 39 as H3 subtypes. Iowa has reported 152 cumulative influenza deaths this season, with three influenza-related deaths reported during the week, along with one outbreak in a long-term care facility.

RSV

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) cases are also increasing. The percentage of positive RSV tests rose to 11.7%, up 2.1 percentage points from the previous week. RSV accounted for 1.5% of emergency department visits and 1.9% of inpatient visits.

Other Respiratory Viruses

Several other respiratory viruses are currently circulating in Iowa, including:

• Rhinovirus/enterovirus: 10%
• Seasonal coronaviruses (non-COVID-19): 9.1%
• Human metapneumovirus: 6.4%
• Adenovirus: 3.1%
• Parainfluenza virus: 0.7%

School Illness Absenteeism

34 schools reported at least 10% of students absent due to illness during the week. Among sentinel schools, 3.7% of enrolled students were absent because of illness.

Respiratory Season Timeline

The 2025-26 respiratory season began on September 28, 2025, and will run through October 3, 2026. Iowa utilizes CDC-defined Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) weeks to track seasonal respiratory activity.

Resources and Information

For more information and resources regarding respiratory viruses in Iowa, please visit the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services website.