Walgreens Flu Index: Flu picking up in pockets of the Midwest, across the South
DEERFIELD, Ill.— The flu continues to pick up in pockets of the Midwest and across the South, according to the latest Walgreens Flu Index report. Three areas in Texas were included in the top ten designated market areas that saw the most gain in flu activity last week, according to the report. However, Rockford, Ill. saw the greatest increase in flu activity across the nation.
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. With the ability to generate hyper-local data that’s as specific as a single zip code, the Index aims to drive consumer awareness and prevention within communities, while also serving as a valuable resource for health departments, media and others at the local level, Walgreens stated.
The top 10 DMAs with flu activity for the week ended Dec. 12 were:
Harlingen-Weslaco-Brownsville-McAllen, Texas;
Dallas-Ft. Worth, Texas;
Chattanooga, Tenn.;
New Orleans;
Rockford, Ill.;
Baton Rouge, La.;
Houston;
Tallahassee, Fla. – Thomasville Ga.;
St. Louis; and
Paducah, Ky. – Cape Girardeau, Mo. – Harrisburg, Ill.
The top 10 states with flu activity were:
Louisiana;
Texas;
Mississippi;
Alabama;
Tennessee;
Illinois;
Kentucky;
Missouri;
Georgia; and
Oklahoma.
The top 10 DMAs with flu activity gains for the week ended Dec. 12 as compared to the week ended Dec. 5 were:
Rockford, Ill.;
Dallas-Ft. Worth, Texas;
Chattanooga, Tenn.;
Ft. Wayne, Ind.;
Austin, Texas;
Paducah, Ky. – Cape Girardeau, Mo. – Harrisburg, Ill.;
Oklahoma City, Okla.;
Harlingen – Weslaco – Brownsville – McAllen, Texas;
Nashville, Tenn.; and
Louisville, Ky.
The top 10 states with flu activity gains were:
Kentucky;
Texas;
Mississippi;
Tennessee;
Illinois;
Missouri;
Oklahoma;
Iowa;
Indiana; and
Colorado.