Flu Season Spreads Throughout The South

During the early months of the 2023-2024 flu season in the United States, most of the influenza activity was reported in Texas, Louisiana, and Alabama.

However, updated data from the Walgreen's Flu Index indicates increased flu activity in most southern areas 

As of November 4, 2023, the Top 10 Designated Market Areas with Flu Activity are as follows:

1. Harlingen-Weslaco-Brownsville-McAllen, Texas
2. Lafayette, La.
3. Beaumont-Port Arthur, Texas
4. Houston, Texas
5. Montgomery-Selma, Ala.
6. New Orleans, La.
7. Puerto Rico
8. Columbus-Tupelo-West Point-Houston, Miss.
9. Bakersfield, Calif.
10. Mobile, Ala.-Pensacola (Ft. Walton Beach), Fla.

Walgreens has produced this data for ten flu seasons to show trends in flu activity week-over-week.

From a severity perspective, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published an updated respiratory disease season outlook on November 3, 2023. During week #43, the first influenza-associated pediatric death was reported, as well as 14 other flu-related fatalities.

Walgreens launched the 2023-2024 Walgreens Flu Index to help communities track flu activity in their area and serve as an essential reminder to take preventive measures, including an annual flu shot.

As of October 28, 2023, 145.42 million influenza vaccine doses have been distributed in the U.S. and are generally available at clinics and pharmacies.

Globally, the World Health Organization published Influenza Update N° 457 on October 30, 2023, indicating that influenza detections remained low globally, with activity in the temperate Northern Hemisphere and Western and Eastern Asia.