Walgreens Flu Index Shows Top States, Markets for Flu Activity During 2016-2017 Season

DEERFIELD, Ill. — May 26, 2017 – Walgreens today released its season-ending Flu Index, ranking the top states and markets (DMAs) for flu activity this season. The Index is based on aggregate prescription data from October 2016 through April 2017.

The states with the highest rates of influenza, according to the Index, were Oklahoma, Texas and North Carolina. The top markets for flu activity included Brownsville, Texas; Corpus Christi, Texas and Lafayette, La. Conversely, the state with the least amount of flu activity based on the Index was Maine, and Albany, N.Y. was the market with least activity.

The Walgreens 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.

To view the 2016-2017 season-ending Walgreens Flu Index, maps and other online features, click here.

Top 10 DMAs with Flu Activity

Aggregate data from October 2016 through April 2017

• Harlingen-Weslaco-Brownsville-McAllen, Texas
• Corpus Christi, Texas
• Lafayette, La.
• Tyler-Longview (Lufkin & Nacogdoches), Texas
• Oklahoma City, Okla.
• Greensboro-High Point-Winston Salem, N.C.
• Shreveport, La.
• El Paso, Texas (Las Cruces, N.M.)
• Beaumont-Port Arthur, Texas
• Dallas-Ft. Worth, Texas

Top 10 States with Flu Activity

Aggregate data from October 2016 through April 2017

• Oklahoma
• Texas
• North Carolina
• Mississippi
• Tennessee
• Louisiana
• Arkansas
• Alabama
• Kentucky
• South Carolina

“Bottom 10” Shows States and Markets with Least Amount of Influenza Activity

In addition to the top states and markets for activity, the season-ending Index also shows the bottom 10, suggesting successful prevention efforts in preparation for, and during flu season in these communities, which experienced the lowest levels of influenza.

Markets with the Least Flu Activity

Aggregate data from October 2016 through April 2017

• Albany-Schenectady-Troy, N.Y.
• Rochester, N.Y.
• Tucson (Sierra Vista), Ariz.
• Buffalo, N.Y.
• Toledo, Ohio
• Portland, Ore.
• Phoenix (Prescott), Ariz.
• Palm Springs, Calif.
• Pittsburgh, Pa.
• Yakima-Pasco-Richland-Kennewick, Wash.

States with the Least Flu Activity

Aggregate data from October 2016 through April 2017

• Maine
• New Hampshire
• Oregon
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• Pennsylvania
• California
• Washington
• Ohio
• Massachusetts