SAN DIEGO (KGTV) — The bug is biting. Flu cases continue to climb nationwide and right here at home, and San Diego doctors said we’re not immune to the trend.

Flu cases have increased year by year and this season, the peak reached 3,567 cases, the highest its been in about five years, according to data from San Diego County.

The numbers show that during and after the pandemic, cases continue to rise, and local doctors, like Dr. Nick Saade with Sharp Memorial Hospital, said the data reflects what he’s seen too.

“The short answer is yes, we are seeing more cases than recent years,” said Dr. Saade. “There’s definitely been kind of like a more rapid increase in the number of cases and a larger number of cases around this time when you compare it to the last four or five years or so.”

Dr. Saade said trends are going back to where they were before COVID. That’s because during the pandemic, many were taking measures to protect themselves with masks, washing hands, and social distancing.

“But when you look back further than that, you find that the cases and the rates of increase of cases are probably more consistent with what you saw in the pre-pandemic levels,” said Dr. Saade.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevent reports nationwide, visits to the emergency room because of influenza are high and continue to increase.

Symptoms include fever, chills, cough and sore throat, but Dr. Saade said there are preventative steps you can take, like keeping distance and practicing good hygiene.

“There’s a number of ways you can catch a bug this winter season,” said Dr. Saade. “So it could be contaminated surfaces, contaminated food and water, direct contact with other individuals.”

He said while getting teh shot may not completely prevent you from getting the illness, but your symptoms won’t be as severe.

One of the largest reptile rescues in the country hopes 2025 is better than 2024.

The EcoVivarium Reptile Sanctuary and Museum cares for 400 snakes, lizards, and turtles at its facility in Escondido. Most of their tenants were saved from bad owners or bad situations. However, the extreme rate of inflation in the last year has EcoVivarium’s owner worried.

“Everything is going through the roof right now,” sighed Susan Nowicke, who founded EcoVivarium 15 years ago.

“Like every other Californian, our insurance rates more than quadrupled,” she explained.

Nowicke said their utility bill doubled and they pay $10,000 a month in rent. None of those expenses include the cost of caring for the wide variety of animals.

“My staff work for minimum wage,” Nowicke added with tears in her eyes. “I’m not proud of that fact. I would like to pay all of them what they are worth. They are worth far more than that. And they deserve more than that for the work they do. They work hard.”

The money EcoVivarium makes from tours and grants likely won’t cut it in 2025. Making matters worse, the nonprofit doesn’t make any extra money from local governments or other rescues when they take on another reptile.

“They have their funding to run their operations,” Nowicke shrugged. “They expect us to have our funding to run our operations.”

Begrudgingly, Nowicke said they need $250,000 more every year to serve the community and the reptiles.

“I’m very concerned. I am very, very concerned for our future,” she said.

Nowicke said they are also at capacity. EcoVivarium can’t take on anymore rescues until they get more room and more funding.

An overhaul of the long-neglected area could help anchor major changes coming to other parts of Mission Bay: Fiesta Island and the bay’s entire northeastern corner.

Originally Published: January 5, 2025 at 5:00 AM PST