The Centers for Disease Control has issued an epidemic alert for much of the United States as influenza cases have spiked now to 43 states, including Texas.

According to Net-Health, flu cases are expected to peak in East Texas in mid-January. Within the past week, there have been over 3,000 cases of flu state-wide, which is three-times as many compared to mid-October.

Approximately half of the reported cases of flu in Texas were from the 5 to 24 age range.

Locally, Dr. Mark Cline of Cline Family Medicine in Center says it’s not too late to get a flu shot. He says his clinic has plenty of vaccine remaining for those that are not protected.

The CDC says the dominant strain of the flu this year is H3N2. Those with respiratory issues and the elderly should particularly use caution and take more as much preventative measures as possible during the peak flu periods.