Combined respiratory indexIowa
Reported CDC dataMinimal
Rising +26% in the wastewater viral activity index vs prior-observation mean
Minimal
0
FluRSVCOVID-19combined
Iowa
Minimal
0
Rising +26% in the wastewater viral activity index vs prior-observation mean
Respiratory observations in Iowa: flu, RSV & COVID-19
A combined respiratory index and separate influenza, RSV and COVID-19 readings from available public-domain CDC surveillance observations. Read the period and provenance before interpreting a level or trend.
This combined respiratory index uses the contributing readings for wastewater viral activity (NWSS). Laboratory positivity has no live adapter and does not contribute to this live reading. Each metric retains its own observation period and availability; a download date does not describe health conditions on that day. You can also compare regional states such as Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska.
How to read the Iowa observations
- For observations ending Oct 10, 2026, the FluTrack combined respiratory index for Iowa was Minimal. It summarizes the available surveillance inputs; pathogen-specific readings may be missing. It is not a case count or an influenza-only level.
- The trend in the wastewater viral activity index was rising (+26%): latest observation compared with the mean of up to three prior observations. This comparison describes that measurement, not a percentage change in the combined index.
- Highest available pathogen index: Flu, COVID-19 and RSV (Minimal). Pathogen indices use different measurement thresholds; this does not identify the most infections or the largest contribution to the combined index.
- Largest relative increase among available series for the wastewater viral activity index with the same comparison observations: COVID-19, +26%; latest observation compared with the mean of up to three prior observations. Rankings use the actual uncapped comparisons. Missing, insufficient and zero-baseline series are not ranked.
Dated observations, not real-time counts
Surveillance data is reported with an inherent lag of roughly one to two weeks. FluTrack shows directional trends, not a real-time case count. The trend compares the latest observation with the mean of up to three prior observations of the same measurement. A build or retrieval date does not establish health conditions on that day. Missing data does not mean no illness. For general information only — not medical advice.
Reported observations in Iowa, in plain English
Week ending Oct 10, 2026 · what the contributing CDC surveillance observations show; not current-day conditions.
- Overall: The combined respiratory index for Iowa is minimal for the reported observation period. The wastewater viral activity index was edging up compared with the mean of up to three prior observations.
- Flu: The influenza wastewater activity index was 1.0 (minimal on FluTrack's scale) in the reported period. The wastewater viral activity index was holding steady compared with the mean of up to three prior observations.
- Wastewater: Reported wastewater activity indices for Iowa: flu 1.0 (minimal on FluTrack's scale), COVID-19 1.8 (minimal on FluTrack's scale) and RSV 1.0 (minimal on FluTrack's scale). These indices are measured against each pathogen's baseline; they do not rank how common the viruses are.
- Nearby states: The 3 other states with usable readings for the same observation period in Iowa’s HHS region are also at a minimal index level.
By virus
Separate pathogen indices for the dated observations in Iowa. Missing readings do not mean no illness.
Influenza (Flu)
Minimal
0
Holding steady in the wastewater viral activity index vs prior-observation meanContributing inputs: wastewater activity index. Observation week ending Oct 10, 2026.
COVID-19
Minimal
0
Rising +26% in the wastewater viral activity index vs prior-observation meanContributing inputs: wastewater activity index. Observation week ending Oct 10, 2026.
RSV
Minimal
0
Holding steady in the wastewater viral activity index vs prior-observation meanContributing inputs: wastewater activity index. Observation week ending Oct 10, 2026.
CDC epidemic trend for COVID-19 in Iowa
Not shown for Iowa
CDC publishes an epidemic-trend category for Iowa, but FluTrack is not displaying it. CDC estimates this trend from emergency-department visit data. CDC’s data notes say Iowa’s NSSP data feed was terminated on May 6, 2026, after a change in health information exchange vendors, and that data for weeks ending May 9, 2026 and later show as Data Unavailable. Source: CDC. Without those observations in view, the direction label cannot be placed beside the data it rests on. This is a gap in the data, not evidence that COVID-19 is rising, falling or low.
What the data shows
Wastewater viral activity input
NWSS wastewater index input; not test positivity or hospitalizations · Observation week ending Oct 10, 2026 · Publication date not provided by this feed · Retrieved 2026-10-19T06:11:28.739Z1.8
NWSS wastewater index input; not test positivity or hospitalizations · Observation week ending Oct 10, 2026 · Publication date not provided by this feed · Retrieved 2026-10-19T06:11:28.739Z1.8
Laboratory test positivity is unavailable from the implemented live adapter and does not contribute to this reading.
Source periods and coverage
Source update, publication and retrieval dates do not replace the observation period. “Not supplied” is an unresolved metadata gap. Cache age is separate from observation age.
Iowa surveillance gap: CDC's activity-level data notes, updated October 2, 2026, report that Iowa's NSSP feed ended on May 6, 2026 after a change in health information exchange vendors. Data through the week ending May 2, 2026 were retained; data and levels for weeks ending May 9, 2026 onward are unavailable. This reporting gap does not mean no illness in Iowa.
| Measurement | Availability | Observation period | Publication | Upstream update | Retrieved | Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| emergency-department visit percentages (NSSP) | missing · does not contribute | Ending Oct 10, 2026 | Not supplied | Not supplied | 2026-10-19T06:11:21.548Z · warm copy past cache TTL; app request 2026-10-19T16:48:01.292Z | 0/3 pathogen ED readings; population coverage not supplied |
| wastewater viral activity (NWSS) | available · contributes | Ending Oct 10, 2026 | Not supplied | 2026-10-16 11:00 | 2026-10-19T06:11:28.739Z · warm copy past cache TTL; app request 2026-10-19T16:48:01.292Z | Flu: 6 included sites; 6 eligible sites; minimum 3; COVID-19: 6 included sites; 6 eligible sites; minimum 3; RSV: 6 included sites; 6 eligible sites; minimum 3; population coverage not supplied |
| the Acute Respiratory Illness activity rating (NSSP) | missing · does not contribute | Ending Oct 10, 2026 | Not supplied | 2026-10-16 16:01:56.318944 | 2026-10-19T06:11:25.301Z · warm copy past cache TTL; app request 2026-10-19T16:48:01.292Z | 0 usable observations; population coverage not supplied |
| laboratory test positivity | unavailable · does not contribute | Not supplied | Not supplied | Not supplied | Not supplied | Not supplied; population coverage not supplied |
HHS regional states
Iowa: common questions
What does the Iowa respiratory index show?
For observations ending Oct 10, 2026, the FluTrack combined respiratory index for Iowa was Minimal. It summarizes the available surveillance inputs; pathogen-specific readings may be missing. It is not a case count or an influenza-only level.
How is the Iowa trend compared?
The trend compares the latest available observation with the mean of up to three prior observations of the same measurement. With one prior observation it is a two-observation comparison; with more it is not an ordinary week-over-week change. Insufficient history is unknown, not stable. A zero prior mean has no defined percentage change and is excluded from relative-growth rankings. Capped percentages are labeled and distinguished from the actual comparison. The measurement and dates are shown with the reading.
Where does this Iowa data come from?
This combined respiratory index uses the contributing readings for wastewater viral activity (NWSS). Laboratory positivity has no live adapter and does not contribute to this live reading. Each metric retains its own observation period and availability; a download date does not describe health conditions on that day. See our methodology and data sources.
How current are the Iowa observations?
The observation period, source update or publication date when supplied, and retrieval time have different meanings. Weekly publication can describe earlier observation periods; delays and revisions vary by surveillance system. A recent build or retrieval does not establish today’s conditions. Missing, stale or sample data cannot establish a current trend.
Is this medical advice?
No. FluTrack is an independent data-visualization utility and is not affiliated with the CDC. It does not diagnose illness or measure personal risk. For guidance about your health, consult a qualified provider.
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