RICHMOND, Ind. (AP) — Some of Indiana's hospitals are reporting sharp increases in flu cases as the state enters what's typically the peak months for the illness.

The federal government says Indiana is one of 23 states reporting regional influenza outbreaks.

At Reid Hospital in the eastern Indiana city of Richmond, Dr. Thomas Huth says there's been a sharp increase in flu cases in recent weeks. He tells the Palladium-Item the hospital has seen about 50 flu cases during the past week alone.

St. Mary's Convenient Care in Evansville is also experiencing an increase in patients with flu-like symptoms. Physician John Honningford tells the Evansville Courier & Press there's been “a marked increase” in flu cases over the past two weeks.

January and February typically are the peak flu months in the U.S.