MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Wisconsin health officials are encouraging residents to get their flu shots and to tell their family and friends it's not too late to get protection against the flu.

Officials say the number of influenza cases in Wisconsin is running higher than last year at this time.

State Health Officer Dr. Henry Anderson says Wisconsin's flu season started early this year.

National Influenza Vaccination Week is next week, Dec. 2-8. Anderson says health officials are asking everyone to take the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's flu vaccination pledge by getting their flu shot and encouraging others to do the same.

So far there have been 113 laboratory-confirmed influenza cases reported in Wisconsin this season, compared with seven cases at this time last year.