For the first time this flu season, the North Dakota Department of Health is reporting widespread influenza activity. 

According to the department, there have been more than 1,800 cases of flu reported so far this season. 

Many of those people are under 10 years old. 

They also say only 44% of North Dakota children ages 6 months to 4 years are vaccinated.

The latest statewide flu report shows cases jumped by over 150 from this week to last. 

472 cases of the flu were reported this week. 

Compared to 304 last week. 

But numbers are still quite a bit down from 2018

This time last year 861 people reported having the flu, thats almost double from what the health department is seeing today. 

Five people have died this year due to flu related symptoms. 

The Department of Health urges people to get vaccinated.