Flu season in Maine has yet to see a spike in numbers, but experts say peak season is often unpredictable. 

The 2016-17 season has so far been average, with no major jumps in reported cases of the virus. 

Medical professionals weighed in Friday on what they’ve seen this year, calling it “sporadic activity.”

Ericka Dodge, vice president for public affairs at Central Maine Healthcare, said, system-wide, a few emergency room patients have had the flu, but there have been no inpatient admissions for flu at Central Maine Medical Center or Bridgton Hospital. She said there had been one flu admission at Rumford Hospital.

“Most of the visits we have seen in our emergency rooms are for colds and sore throats,” she said. “But we do anticipate that the flu will hit Central and Western Maine soon. We advise all area residents to get a flu shot if they haven’t done so yet and to practice proper hand hygiene now and throughout the year.”

The Maine Center for Disease Control & Prevention releases a weekly influenza surveillance report, which lists, among other statistics, the number of reported cases and hospitalizations. 

According to the state’s latest report, there have been a total of 12 hospitalizations and 93 positive lab tests so far during the 2016-17 flu season. The season is typically thought to run from October through May.

Influenza is a contagious viral infection in the respiratory system that differs from what is referred to as the common cold but includes many of the same symptoms. 

By this time last year, there were 11 reported hospitalizations in the state. However, the normal peak season has yet to come. By the end of last year’s flu season, in May 2016, the state had reported a total of 396 hospitalizations and 2,360 positive lab tests. The mean age of those hospitalized was 55. 

For the week ending Dec. 31, 2016, only three new hospitalizations were reported: one each in Aroostook, Cumberland and Kennebec counties. 

Nationally, Maine also ranked low in influenza-like illness activity in the latest report, with activity listed as “minimal.” 

Barring a large spike in cases, the year could appear average, especially compared to the 2014-15 season, which ended with 4,233 reported cases. 

Diane Theriault, the infection prevention manager at St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center in Lewiston, said Friday that no patients with influenza had been admitted to the hospital. 

She said last year’s flu season started mostly in January, peaking in March with the last case seen in May.

Medical professionals said Friday that flu vaccines are the best course of action against the virus, and that many local pharmacies, doctors’ offices and health clinics should be well-stocked. 

Theriault said to also clean hands frequently, and to avoid touching the “T zone” of the face — the eyes, nose and mouth. 

Tracy Tippie, the Emergency Department medical director at St. Mary’s, said flu season “typically accompanies the arrival of cold weather,” but that peak seasons tend to fluctuate. 

“The best strategy for minimizing the impact of influenza is to receive an immunization,” she said.