As a result of the severe flu season, health officials declared a public health emergency in Boston, Mass., where 700 people in the area have now been diagnosed with the winter illness.

Four residents of Boston have all died from the seemingly deadly virus.

"This is the worst flu season we've seen since 2009, and people should take the threat of flu seriously," Boston Mayor Thomas Menino said via statement, according to ABC News.

At this point in time last year, only 70 cases of the flu were reported, stated The Associated Press. With the influenza's activity more than likely to progress into March or April, that number will only increase.

Menino stated that the city is teaming up with health care centers to offer flu vaccines free of charge. He also stressed that everyone with flu-like symptoms should stay at home from school or work and go get the vaccine.

"This is not only a health concern, but also an economic concern for families. I'm urging residents to get vaccinated if they haven't already," he said in the statement.

In the state of Massachusetts alone, 18 people have now died from the flu. It is one of 41 states combating major flu outbreaks and emergency rooms have seen a massive spike in patients quantities, having to turn away individuals with less severe cases due to lack of space.

Although it's the earliest flu season in 10 years, ABC News Chief Medical Editor Dr. Besser explained that it's not too late to protect against it.

"You have to think about an anti-viral, especially if you're elderly, a young child, a pregnant woman," he said. "They're the people that are going to die from this. Tens of thousands of people die in a bad flu season. We're not taking it serious though."