With more cases of the flu being reported this year the state’s Chief Medical Officer is urging the public to take the threat seriously.

Prevention is the first step says Doctor Jennifer Layden who adds that it’s not too late to get your flu shot.

Layden says you should probably take young children and seniors to the doctor to get checked out since they are more susceptible to complications from the flu.

Layden says if you aren’t sure, go ahead and call the doctor to see if you need to come in or if you are a candidate for an antiviral like Tamiflu.