A severe flu epidemic that has dogged much of the nation has taken hold of California in recent weeks, though local public health officials said they are well prepared to handle additional flu cases and they urged people to get flu shots if they have not done so already.

“It’s widespread. But the system is not being overwhelmed,” Alameda County Public Health Department spokeswoman Sherri Willis said of this season’s flu outbreak. Read more >> about Alameda prepares for growing flu epidemic