Texas Drops To No. 2 Spot Nationwide In Flu Cases

HOUSTON, TX — Texas has led the nation in flu outbreaks since the middle of December. But according to data released Wednesday morning, the Lone Star State is now No. 2 in the national state rankings. However, Texas markets still hold five of the top 10 spots in the nation. Oklahoma is now the state with the highest ratio for outbreak, and the Oklahoma City market checks in at No. 1.

According to a map created by Walgreens, most of Texas and most of Oklahoma lead the nation in most influenza outbreaks.

The flu outbreak shows no particular bias in Texas as part of East Texas tops the national list while the valley is No.2. But East Texas and the Greater Houston and Gulf region seem to have been hit hardest in the national drugstore's designated market areas (DMA)

Top 10 DMAs* with Flu Activity

1. Oklahoma City, Okla.
2. El Paso, Texas (Las Cruces, N.M.)
3. Waco-Temple-Bryan, Texas
4. Dallas-Ft. Worth, Texas
5. Knoxville, Tenn.
6. Chattanooga, Tenn.
7. Tyler-Longview (Lufkin & Nacogdoches), Texas
8. Tulsa, Okla.
9. Austin, Texas
10. Charleston, S.C.

Top 10 States with Flu Activity

1. Oklahoma
2. Texas
3. Arkansas
4. Alabama
5. South Carolina
6. Mississippi
7. Tennessee
8. Kansas
9. Wyoming
10. Louisiana

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.

According to the store's website, the 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.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists healthy habits to undertake to try and prevent the flu. Those include:

1. Avoid close contact.

Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.

2. Stay home when you are sick.

If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. This will help prevent spreading your illness to others.

3. Cover your mouth and nose.

Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.

4. Clean your hands.

Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.

5. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.

Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.

6. Practice other good health habits.

Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces at home, work or school, especially when someone is ill. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.
Additionally, the CDC offers three tips specifically to fight the flu, and that includes getting a flu shot for those who haven't done so yet. With cold temperatures lurking in Texas the next week or so, these could be good tips to follow.

Image: Gautam Gupta receives an influenza shot from Nurse Practitioner Ray Grigorio in the MinuteClinic at the CVS/pharmacy on January 6, 2014 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The 2013-2014 influenza season is starting to take off in the United States, with more than half the country reporting widespread cases of flu activity, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)