Dec. 02--A weekly flu index launched Tuesday by drugstore giant Walgreen Co. will rank states and market areas based on the number of flu cases.
Illinois ranked No. 7 during the week of Thanksgiving, and Chicago was No. 16 among the top 100 market areas. The index is based on the number of antiviral prescriptions filled at Walgreens stores to treat the flu. It will provide information on the largest weekly increases in flu cases, as well as the largest number of cases for any given week.
Deerfield-based Walgreen is the largest drugstore chain in the U.S. with more than 8,200 locations, including 502 in the Chicago area.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also provides weekly flu data on its website. In its report for the week ending Nov. 21, the CDC classified flu activity in Illinois as minimal.
Walgreen surveyed 8,100 stores for state data and 7,200 nationwide for market-area data. Seven states were not included in the data, because they did not have markets with at least 20 Walgreens locations.
"This weekly report can help alert health officials and the public in areas where flu activity is trending the most," said Richard Ashworth, Walgreens president of retail and pharmacy operations. "With the ability to generate hyperlocal data that's as specific as a single ZIP code, the Walgreens Flu Index can become a platform to improve preventive health measures throughout the season, including immunization rates."
U.S. FLU ACTIVITY Week ending Nov. 28, 2014
States with the most flu activity
1. Louisiana
2. Texas
3. Mississippi
4. Alabama
5. Georgia
6. Florida
7. Illinois
8. Missouri
9. Tennessee
10. Kentucky
Market areas with the most flu activity
1. Harlingen-Weslaco-Brownsville-McAllen, Texas
2. New Orleans
3. Tallahassee, Fla.-Thomasville, Ga.
4. Houston
5. Dallas-Fort Worth
6. Baton Rouge, La.
7. Chattanooga, Tenn.
8. St. Louis
9. Miami-Fort Lauderdale
10. Jackson, Miss.
Source: Walgreens Flu Index
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