New York is among 48 states reporting widespread cases of the flu, and health officials say the number of flu cases has nearly tripled statewide in just one week.

Last week, there were 11,051 cases reported statewide -- a whopping 7,000 more cases than were reported during the same span last year.

Locally, there were 539 cases of the virus reported in Westchester last week, plus 198 cases in Rockland, and 218 in Orange County.

Christopher Ericson, with the Orange County Department of Health, says getting the flu vaccine is the best defense.

Carol O'Brien, of Yonkers, knows all too well what the flu can do -- she is just getting outdoors again after having it for 11 days. But she did get the vaccine -- and still got the flu.

Experts say that's possible because there are several strains of the virus.