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DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens Thursday released its season-ending Flu Index, ranking the top states and markets (DMAs) experiencing the highest incidences of influenza across the country this season. The Index is based on methodology that includes Walgreens aggregate prescription data from September 2018 through April 2019.
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The states with the highest rates of influenza according to the Index were Mississippi, Oklahoma and Texas. The top three markets for flu activity were all in Texas, including Brownsville, El Paso and Tyler.
To view the 2018-2019 season-ending Walgreens Flu Index, maps and other online feature, click here.
Top 10 DMAs* with Flu Activity
Aggregate data from September 2018 through April 2019
- Harlingen-Weslaco-Brownsville-McAllen, Texas
- El Paso, Texas (Las Cruces, N.M.)
- Tyler-Longview (Lufkin & Nacogdoches), Texas
- Corpus Christi, Texas
- Oklahoma City, Okla.
- Greensboro-High Point-Winston Salem, N.C.
- Lincoln & Hastings-Kearney, Neb.
- Dallas-Ft. Worth, Texas
- Monroe, La.-El Dorado, Ark.
- Biloxi-Gulfport, Miss.
Top 10 States with Flu Activity
Aggregate data from September 2018 through April 2019
- Mississippi
- Oklahoma
- Texas
- Wyoming
- Arkansas
- Nebraska
- Louisiana
- Tennessee
- Kentucky
- Alabama
Methodology
The Index is not intended to illustrate levels or severity of flu activity, but rather, based on this methodology, to show which populations are experiencing the highest incidences of influenza within the U.S. and Puerto Rico each week.
Data for the Walgreens Flu Index 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.
*Designated Market Area
