CDC: Reported flu cases are rising

The flu season has already hit the U.S. hard, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said, with dozens of states reporting rising numbers of doctor visits for flu-like symptoms. 

Twenty-one states are currently experiencing high amounts of influenza activity and 36 states reported widespread cases, according to new CDC data released Friday, ABC News reported.  

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The CDC predicts that the amount of flu cases nationwide will likely peak sometime before the end of January, and is encouraging people to receive their annual flu vaccines, which doctors say could prevent or greatly reduce symptoms of the virus. 

The flu vaccine has been found to optimally reduce the risk of contracting the flu by 40 to 60 percent across the population, the CDC says. 

Deaths have already been reported this year from the outbreak.