Two influenza-related deaths have been confirmed in Iowa. The Iowa Department of Public Health announced two middle-aged men between the ages of 41 and 60 who died were from central Iowa.

Lynn Fisher with Washington County Public Health recommends getting a flu vaccine each year to protect against the illness. She also reminds people to wash their hands, get six to eight hours of rest each night, avoid contact with those who are sick and if you’re sick, stay home.

On average, 300,000 Iowans get the flu each year and its complication of pneumonia cause an average of 1,000 deaths annually in the state. Iowa, Oregon and Rhode Island are the three states in the nation with the highest estimated flu activity at this time. The flu season usually peaks in February but can last as late as May.