Flu has contributed to at least 12 Polk County deaths
Polk County's medical examiner has seen four times as many records listing flu as a contributing cause of death so far this winter as he saw all last winter.
Dr. Gregory Schmunk said Friday that since November, his office has received 12 death certificates listing flu as a main or contributing cause, and one more listing a viral illness that also could have been the flu. His office received just three death certificates in all of last winter listing flu as a contributing factor. "And we're not even into the height of the flu season yet," he said.
Polk County's medical examiner has seen four times as many records listing flu as a contributing cause of death so far this winter as he saw all last winter.
Dr. Gregory Schmunk said Friday that since November, his office has received 12 death certificates listing flu as a main or contributing cause, and one more listing a viral illness that also could have been the flu. His office received just three death certificates in all of last winter listing flu as a contributing factor. "And we're not even into the height of the flu season yet," he said.