Texas once again tops Walgreens Flu Index activity

Walgreens has released yet another update in its Flu Index activity. For a third straight week, Texas holds the top spot in an increase in incidences of influenza according to the newly released data for the week ending Dec. 23.

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 a 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.23, the top 10 designated market areas with flu activity were:

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

2. Harlingen-Weslaco-Brownsville-McAllen, Texas

3. Beaumont-Port Arthur, Texas

4. Houston, Texas

5. Waco-Temple-Bryan, Texas

6. Corpus Christi, Texas

7. Dallas-Ft. Worth, Texas

8. Little Rock-Pine Bluff, Ark.

9. San Antonio, Texas

10. Ft. Smith-Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, Ark.

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. Waco-Temple-Bryan, Texas

4. Houston, Texas

5. Harlingen-Weslaco-Brownsville-McAllen, Texas

6. Corpus Christi, Texas

7. Dallas-Ft. Worth, Texas

8. San Antonio, Texas

9. Ft. Smith-Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, Ark.

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