INDIANAPOLIS (AP) _ State health officials say the number of Indiana influenza deaths this season has jumped to 11, up from three reported a week ago.

The Indiana State Department of Health says six deaths have happened in northern Indiana's St. Joseph County and that no other county had recorded more than one death.

State health commissioner William VanNess says this season's flu strains are hitting young and middle-aged adults fairly hard.

The agency says all but one of Indiana's 11 flu deaths have been people between the ages of 25 and 64. The state had 27 flu deaths at the same time last year.

Health officials still urge residents to get flu vaccinations since the flu season can last until April.