Public health experts say Arkansas could be experiencing a peak in its flu season. New data released Wednesday from the Department of Health show the state’s death toll rose by 19 people for the week ending Dec. 10. A total of 64 Arkansans have died from the virus since early October.

Dr. Joel Tumlison, the department’s Medical Director for Immunizations, says this year’s flu season is more severe and longer than average.

“We’re certainly not used to seeing very high spread of flu in November as we’ve seen so far earlier this year, and certainly even in early- to mid-December,” Tumlison said. “Usually we’re just starting to see now the ramp-up of flu cases in an average year, which usually peaks in late January or early February.”