Walgreens Flu Index: Southern states lead in flu activity
DEERFIELD, Ill. — The South is experiencing high flu activity as Texas, Mississippi and Louisiana lead the list of top 10 states, according to the latest Walgreens Flu Index, a weekly report developed to provide state- and market-specific information regarding flu activity, and ranking of those experiencing the highest incidences of influenza across the country.
Top Ten DMAs with Flu Activity
Week Ending 12/19/2014
1. Dallas-Ft. Worth, Texas
2. Harlingen-Weslaco-Brownsville-McAllen, Texas
3. Paducah, Ky. – Cape Girardeau, Mo. – Harrisburg, Ill.
4. Rockford, Ill.
5. Chattanooga, Tenn.
6. Oklahoma City, Okla.
7. Austin, Texas
8. Baton Rouge, La.
9. Houston, Texas
10. Ft. Wayne, Mo.
Top Ten States with Flu Activity
Week Ending 12/19/2014
1. Texas
2. Mississippi
3. Louisiana
4. Kentucky
5. Illinois
6. Missouri
7. Oklahoma
8. Tennessee
9. Colorado
10. Alabama
Top Ten DMAs Flu Activity Gains
From Week Ending 12/12/2014 to 12/19/2014
1. Paducah, Ky. – Cape Girardeau, Mo. – Harrisburg, Ill.
2. Dallas-Ft. Worth, Texas
3. Oklahoma City, Okla.
4. Austin, Texas
5. Rockford, Ill.
6. Davenport, Iowa-Rock Island-Moline, Ill.
7. Chicago, Ill.
8. Ft. Wayne, Ind.
9. Cincinnati, Ohio
10. Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn.
Top Ten States Flu Activity Gains
From Week Ending 12/12/2014 to 12/19/2014
1. Kentucky
2. Oklahoma
3. Texas
4. Illinois
5. Mississippi
6. Minnesota
7. Missouri
8. Colorado
9. Iowa
10. Indiana
The Walgreens Flu Index is compiled using weekly retail prescription data for antiviral medications used to treat influenza across Walgreens locations nationwide. The data is analyzed at state and geographic market levels to measure absolute impact and incremental change of antiviral medications on a per store average basis, and does not include markets in which Walgreens has fewer than 20 retail locations.
The Flu Index is not intended to illustrate levels or severity of flu activity, but rather, illustrate which populations are experiencing the highest incidence of flu.