Indiana hospital emergency rooms are overwhelmed with patients because of an unexpected spike in influenza activity.

Outpatients reporting flu like symptoms last week reached 5 percent, the highest percentage recorded in March, according to the Indiana State Department of Health weekly report. Influenza A, which includes the H1N1 and H2N2 strand, accounted for the majority of flu cases.

IU Health nurse Jaema Kelly says the flu season usually peaks earlier in the year.

"Right now, we’re just now seeing that seasonal peak. Influenza activity is high and it’s widespread geographically," Kelly says. "And it just happens to be that this time this year in particular we’re seeing that peak a little bit later than we have in the past."

Kelly says it’s unclear why the flu season is peaking so late.

Sixty people have died from the flu statewide, with five in Monroe County.