Though season is near end, Walgreens Flu Index finds pockets of activity

DEERFIELD, Ill. — With this year's flu season coming to a close, citizens across the middle of America are still experiencing flu-like symptoms, according to the latest Walgreens Flu Index from Walgreens Boots Alliance.



The top 10 markets as measured by flu activity for the week of March 19 were:

1. 
   Shreveport, La.;


2. 
   El Paso, Texas (Las Cruces, N.M.);


3. 
   Greensboro-High Point-Winston Salem, N.C.;


4. 
   Harlingen-Weslaco-Brownsville-McAllen, Texas;


5. 
   Tri-Cities, Tenn.-Va.;


6. 
   Montgomery-Selma, Ala.;


7. 
   Chattanooga, Tenn.;


8. 
   Knoxville, Tenn.;


9. 
   Raleigh-Durham (Fayetteville), N.C.; and


10. 
    Tyler-Longview (Lufkin & Nacogdoches), Texas.

The Walgreens Flu Index is 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. The Flu Index shows which populations are experiencing the most incidences of influenza each week based on Index methodology. The data does not measure actual levels or severity of flu activity.



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 10 retail locations.