Its Great Sometimes When Your Hometown is Number One For Something But This Is One List We Don't Want To At The Top Of In East Texas.

Have you noticed folks coughing or sneezing a little bit more over the last couple of weeks here in East Texas especially in Tyler, Longview, Lufkin or Nacogdoches?

According to Walgreens, the flu activity in East Texas is running rampant as our area leads the nation according to the nationwide pharmacy.

Texas is the No. 1 state with the most flu activity.

The Walgreens Flu Index is compiled using 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.

5 Texas Metro Areas Landed In The Top 10.

The Walgreens Flu Index is not intended to illustrate levels or severity of flu activity, but rather illustrate which populations are experiencing the highest incidence of flu.

Apparently, flu activity is running rampant in the South, The Top 10 States were:

1. Texas
2. Oklahoma
3. Mississippi
4. Wyoming
5. Arkansas
6. Louisiana
7. Montana
8. New Mexico
9.  Alabama
10. North Carolina

East Texas Ranks #1 In The Nation.

The top 10 designated market areas (DMAs) with the highest flu activity include as of Jan. 27, 2024 are:

1. Tyler-Longview (Lufkin & Nacogdoches), Texas

2. Dallas-Ft. Worth, Texas

3. Corpus Christi, Texas

4. Waco-Temple-Bryan, Texas

5. Oklahoma City, Okla.

6. San Antonio, Texas

7. Lafayette, La.

8. Little Rock-Pine Bluff, Ark.

9. Columbus-Tupelo-West Point-Houston, Miss.

10. Monroe, La.-El Dorado, Ark.

Follow a few simple steps to protect yourself:

• Avoid close contact
• Stay home when you are sick
• Cover your mouth and nose
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
• Wash your hands