Walgreens Flu Index for Week Ending February 23, 2019

The Walgreens Flu Index™ is a weekly report developed to provide state- and market-specific information regarding flu activity, and ranks those states and markets experiencing the highest incidences of influenza across the country.

The Walgreens Flu Index is compiled using the drugstore chain’s weekly retail prescription data for antiviral medications used to treat influenza across Walgreens and Duane Reade locations nationwide. In addition to the top markets and states, the Flu Index also ranks the markets and states experiencing the greatest gains in activity on a week-over-week basis.

The weekly report is also available through an online, interactive map, which allows anyone to search and find information regarding the most current state of influenza in their community. To view this week’s map, click here.

Top 10 DMAs* with Flu Activity
Week Ending 2/23/19

1. Oklahoma City, Okla.
2. Greensboro-High Point-Winston Salem, N.C.
3. Corpus Christi, Texas
4. Biloxi-Gulfport, Miss.
5. New Orleans, La.
6. Columbus-Tupelo-West Point-Houston, Miss.
7. Lafayette, La.
8. Tulsa, Okla.
9. Jackson, Miss.
10. Tyler-Longview (Lufkin & Nacogdoches), Texas

Top 10 States with Flu Activity
Week Ending 2/23/19

1. Oklahoma
2. Wyoming
3. Mississippi
4. Louisiana
5. Arkansas
6. Montana
7. South Dakota
8. Texas
9. North Carolina
10. West Virginia

Top 10 DMAs with Flu Activity Gains
Week Ending 2/23/19

1. Oklahoma City, Okla.
2. Baton Rouge, La.
3. Richmond-Petersburg, Va.
4. Evansville, Ind.
5. Cedar Rapids-Waterloo-Iowa City & Dubuque, Iowa
6. Topeka, Kan.
7. Des Moines-Ames, Iowa
8. Cincinnati, Ohio
9. Wausau-Rhinelander, Wis.
10. La Crosse-Eau Claire, Wis.

Top 10 States with Flu Activity Gains
Week Ending 2/23/19

1. West Virginia
2. Oklahoma
3. South Dakota
4. Iowa
5. Virginia
6. Ohio
7. Montana
8. Wisconsin
9. Kansas
10. Oregon

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