Patricia Doxsey is reporting in the Daily Freeman health officials have announced the current flu season could be one of the worst in years. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines flu season as October through April, but it can continue into May, February is considered the peak month. Diane Valden reports in The Columbia Paper flu activity in Columbia County remains widespread, according to reports from the New York State Department of Health. An infectious disease specialist affiliated with Columbia Memorial Health told The Columbia Paper that the flu arrived late this season, but now "we have got it in buckets." As of December 31, the county Department of Health had administered 925 flu shots. County Department of Health Public Health Director Jack Mabb said there is still time to get vaccinated "as the flu will most likely stay widespread for awhile." In Ulster County, there have been 421 confirmed cases so far, compared to the 384 cases confirmed during the entire 2015-16 flu season. Flu symptoms come on suddenly, and include fever, aches and pains, cough and fatigue. Read more in the Daily Freeman and The Columbia Paper.