Southern states, markets lead pack in flu gains this week

The Walgreens Flu Index tracked flu gains in the south for the week ended Jan. 26. Mississippi, Alabama and Kentucky all led the pack of states with flu activity gains for the week, based on Walgreens’ weekly retail prescription data for antiviral flu treatments.

Among markets with big gains, the Tyler-Longview, Texas, market was in the pole position, trailed by Biloxi-Gulfport, Miss., and Lincoln and Hastings-Kearney, Neb. Hunstville-Decator, Ala., was fourth in terms of activity increases.

Among top markets and states with flu activity, Lincoln and Hastings-Kearney, Neb., was top among markets, which makes sense, given that the Cornhusker State led states in total activity, followed by Kentucky and Mississippi.

Full rankings below:

Top 10 Markets with Flu Activity

1. Lincoln and Hastings-Kearney, Neb.


2. Tyler-Longview (Lufkin and Nacogdoches), Texas


3. Louisville, Ky.


4. Omaha, Neb.


5. El Paso, Texas (Las Cruces, N.M.)


6. Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas


7. Lexington, Ky.


8. Huntsville-Decatur (Florence), Ala.


9. Birmingham (Anniston and Tuscaloosa), Ala.


10. Biloxi-Gulfport, Miss.

Top 10 States with Flu Activity

1. Nebraska


2. Kentucky


3. Mississippi


4. Texas


5. Alabama


6. Tennessee


7. New Jersey


8. New Mexico


9. Montana


10. Idaho

Top 10 DMAs with Flu Activity Gains

1. Tyler-Longview (Lufkin and Nacogdoches), Texas


2. Biloxi-Gulfport, Miss.


3. Lincoln and Hastings-Kearney, Neb.


4. Huntsville-Decatur (Florence), Ala.


5. Jackson, Miss.


6. Chattanooga, Tenn.


7. Birmingham (Anniston and Tuscaloosa), Ala.


8. Lexington, Ky.


9. Montgomery-Selma, Ala.


10. Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas

Top 10 States with Flu Activity Gains

1. Mississippi


2. Alabama


3. Kentucky


4. Texas


5. Tennessee


6. Montana


7. North Carolina


8. South Dakota


9. Nebraska


10. Oklahoma