St Paul (KROC AM News) - The state Health Dept. is reporting an increase in flu cases around Minnesota.

The department’s latest weekly report classifies influenza activity as local, the highest it’s been so far this season. There were two school outbreaks reported last week, raising the season total to eleven.

The rise in activity in Minnesota comes the same time other states are reporting more cases and this is causing concern among public health officials.

The New England Journal of Medicine reported this week the current flu season in the US could be a rough one. One basis for the concern is data from Australia, which supplied vaccine that is similar to what is being used in the US this year. Preliminary information shows that vaccine was only 10-percent effective.

Also, the state Health Dept has added two more conditions for the use of medical pot.

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