The two latest victims reported lived in Floyd and Johnson counties. Both had risk factors that increased the chance of complications from the virus.

Among all H1N1 cases in Iowa, the most common risk factors for complications from the virus were immune-compromised (such as cancer), respiratory (such as asthma, and neuromuscular. In addition, more than 50 percent of the Iowans hospitalized were overweight or obese, which may be associated with medical conditions, such as diabetes, which increase the chance of complications.

According to health department officials, deaths in Iowa have mirrored the state population, with age groups and all major racial and ethnic groups being impacted. Nearly half of the deaths have occurred in adults between the ages of 25 and 49. Five of the deaths were among adults from age 50 to 64, while three deaths were among adults 18 to 24. In Iowa, there has only been one child death and one death for persons over the age of 64.

Two of the state’s fatalities were cases that had no underlying risk factors from medical complications.

Iowans who want more information about influenza surveillance in Iowa should visit the department’s Web site. The state also maintains a public 24-hour hotline for those with questions about the virus, 1-800-447-1985.

Among the jobs cut are those of meteorologist Jason Parkin, who has been with the station 10 years, and reporter Ryan Luby, who has only been with KCCI for six months. Both men’s biographies have been removed from the station’s Web site.

“Our struggling economy is forcing all businesses to make tough decisions, and KCCI is no different. We have had to reduce expenses to bring them more in line with lower revenue projections. Unfortunately, this now must include some staff positions,” said Paul Fredericksen, KCCI president and general manager, in a statement Wednesday.

The station has been the ratings leader in the Des Moines market in nearly every time slot for more than a decade. It consistantly beats out NBC affiliate WHO and ABC affiliate WOI. KCCI is owned by New York-based Hearst-Argyle Television Inc.