Lone Star State heading into holidays with flu-like symptoms

The flu is picking up in Texas, according to the latest Walgreens Flu Index released Wednesday. 



While the data does not measure actual levels or severity of flu activity, the Flu Index provides valuable insight by showing which cities or metropolitan areas are experiencing the most incidences of influenza each week based on Index methodology, the pharmacy retailer stated.



The Walgreens Flu Index is compiled using weekly retail prescription data for antiviral medications used to treat influenza across Walgreens and Duane Reade locations nationwide, including Walgreens locations in Puerto Rico. 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.



For the week ending Dec. 9, the top 10 designated market areas with flu activity were:

1. 
   Harlingen-Weslaco-Brownsville-McAllen, Texas;


2. 
   Beaumont-Port Arthur, Texas;


3. 
   Tyler-Longview (Lufkin & Nacogdoches), Texas;


4. 
   Houston;


5. 
   Little Rock-Pine Bluff, Ark.;


6. 
   Corpus Christi, Texas;


7. 
   Dallas-Ft. Worth, Texas;


8. 
   Ft. Smith-Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, Ark.;


9. 
   Waco-Temple-Bryan, Texas; and


10. 
    El Paso, Texas (Las Cruces, N.M.).

For the same time period, the top 10 DMAs with the greatest gains in flu activity were:

1. 
   Tyler-Longview (Lufkin & Nacogdoches), Texas;


2. 
   Beaumont-Port Arthur, Texas;


3. 
   Houston;


4. 
   Little Rock-Pine Bluff, Ark.;


5. 
   Ft. Smith-Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, Ark.;


6. 
   El Paso, Texas (Las Cruces, N.M.);


7. 
   Dallas-Ft. Worth, Texas;


8. 
   Tallahassee, Fla.-Thomasville, Ga.;


9. 
   Austin, Texas; and


10. 
    Corpus Christi, Texas.