Right now, in St. Joseph County, seasonal flu cases are 4-times higher than this time last year.

But why are so many people catching Influenza A?

Numbers from the CDC shows this is an issue all across the U.S.

Looking at this week's Influenza Surveillance Report, Indiana as a whole is listed in the "high activity" category.

Here in St. Joseph County, the health department wants to be on the offense as the threat of these cases continue.

Cassy White, St. Joseph County Health Department

The St. Joseph County Health Department is reporting a 4-fold increase in seasonal flu activity compared to last year.

But what's making these number spike?

Cassy White at the St. Joseph County Health Department says there could be a handful of causes.

"There's multiple factors and different conversations that have been going on. I know one of the conversations is, we've been in the pandemic for three years and we've had different mitigation strategies in place, where during regular flu season a lot more people have been masked up and those mandates aren't in place anymore, " said White.

White says the drop in COVID safety protocols, plus the cold weather driving holiday gatherings indoors is creating the opportunity for all kinds of infection to spread, including Influenza.

The good news, though, is this year's flu vaccine does protect against the strain seen thus far.

And it's not too late to get one.

“It's important to get your flu shot, your COVID booster and to stay at home if you're feeling ill and masks are also a great mitigation strategy as well,” said White.

WSBT spoke with the Berrien County Health Officer today who said the number of people there seeking care at local hospitals has doubled compared to last week.

Michigan currently has some of the lowest flu activity in the country, but that's likely to change over the next few weeks as cases are picking up.