If you or someone in your circle is feeling unwell, you’re not alone.

Recent statistics from the New York Health Department and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reveal that this flu season is among the most severe in over ten years, with Long Island experiencing particularly high rates of illness.

Contractor Walter Braiter remarked, “I’ve heard from many of my customers that they have come down with the flu.”

Last week alone, Nassau County reported 5,673 flu cases, while Suffolk County tallied 6,189 cases, according to state health officials.

Nearly 700 individuals were hospitalized on Long Island during the same period, highlighting the severity of the situation.

“These numbers are unusually high,” noted Dr. Randolph DiLorenzo, Medical Director at Syosset Hospital.

The state designates flu season as running from October of the prior year through May of the following year, and current data suggests that this flu season on Long Island is poised to surpass last year’s total case numbers shortly.

In Suffolk County, there were 40,527 confirmed flu cases reported during the seven-month flu season spanning late 2023 to early 2024. Shockingly, 31,850 cases have already been recorded from last October to this past week.

Meanwhile, Nassau County reported 35,654 flu cases last season, with 31,841 cases documented through last week this year.

“If you test positive for the flu, it’s crucial to isolate yourself to prevent spreading the virus to others,” Dr. DiLorenzo advised. “Additionally, it’s not too late to get the flu vaccine.”

The most affected demographics include children aged 5 to 17 and adults between 18 and 49, according to state data.