North Dakota reports more flu cases than last year, but the numbers should start declining, a state health official says.

Michelle Feist, the state's influenza coordinator, said the flu season peaked in late February.

"That is good news - that we have peaked and that we probably won't be seeing a rise in cases," she said. "From now on, the numbers should be going down."

The latest figures show 2,692 cases of the flu in North Dakota, or 323 more than last year.

Billings County is the only county in the state without any flu reports.

Cass County reports 557 cases, followed by Burleigh County with 407, Morton County with 176 and Grand Forks County with 162 cases.

Health officials say 54 people have been hospitalized because of the flu.

The state's flu season runs from October through May.

Associated Press