There have been twice as many confirmed cases of the flu this year in the Humboldt area compared to last winter.

This year has seen 32 cases, where last year had 16, deputy medical health officer Simon Kapaj told Bolt FM.

While the predominant A strain of the virus is on the decline, the B strain - as well as other viruses that cause flu symptoms - continue to circulate.

“What we see this year is an unusually high activity level of influenza Type B virus,” he said.

Seniors and young people are often most affected by influenza, he said.

The flu season typically lasts to the end of March, though the illness can sometimes have a late spike in activity, he said.