Flu on the rise across Maryland

The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene's flu monitoring and surveillance system is reporting a dramatic rise in the number of flu cases across the state over the last two weeks.

The department's flu tracking system shows an increase in the number of people going to emergency rooms and hospitals with flu-related symptoms.

"The flu is here as expected but the good news is, it's not too late to get vaccinated," Frances Phillips, deputy secretary for public health services, said in a statement.

The number of people who become sick with flu and flu-related illness typically begins to rise in early January. If the flu season continues as expected, the number of people who get sick, require hospitalization or die will peak in late February, according to health department officials.