Walgreens Flu Index heat map shows most of U.S. contending with illness

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Judging from the heat map released Thursday as part of the Walgreens Flu Index, flu incidence is in full swing across much of America.



For the week of Feb. 5, the top 10 markets currently experiencing flu activity are:

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


2. 
   Corpus Christi, Texas;


3. 
   Oklahoma City;


4. 
   Tyler-Longview (Lufkin & Nacogdoches), Texas;


5. 
   Lafayette, La.;


6. 
   Dallas-Ft. Worth, Texas;


7. 
   Beaumont-Port Arthur, Texas;


8. 
   Tulsa, Okla.;


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


10. 
    Lincoln & Hastings-Kearney, Neb.

That list also marks the top 10 markets with the greatest flu activity gains for that time period, except for New Orleans, which came in at No. 10 on the flu activity gains list.



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.