Drug Store News : declared in Heading into April, flu still prevalent in Carolinas

For the week of March 26, the top 10 markets by Flu activity according to the Walgreens Flu Index were:Shreveport, La. DEERFIELD, Ill. — Last week's Walgreens Flu Index found that a number of states, including the Carolinas, Tennessee and Louisiana, continue to see widespread flu activity in the final week of March. The Walgreens Flu Index is compiled using weekly retail prescription data for antiviral medications used to treat influenza across Walgreens locations nationwide. The Flu Index shows which populations are experiencing the most incidences of influenza each week based on Index methodology. The Walgreens Flu Index is a weekly report developed to provide state- and market-specific information regarding flu activity, and ranking of those experiencing the highest incidences of influenza across the country.

Deadly flu virus still circulating in Michigan

Deadly flu virus still circulating in MichiganHURON COUNTY — With two recent influenza-related deaths reported in Michigan, local health officials are still urging the public to get vaccinated as the flu season is still showing widespread activity. "This year has been a really high activity season so typically, it's (flu season) the end of March beginning of April. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services recently reported the first two pediatric influenza deaths in the state for the 2016-17 flu season. For further details, contact the Huron County Health Department at 989-269-9721, ext. Adults may visit the Huron County Health Department between 8 and 11:30 a.m. and 1 and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday for the flu vaccine.


"We still get over 100 reports [of flu cases] a week," Dr. Mertz said Wednesday. As of April 1, the number of lab-confirmed cases in the county so far in the flu season, charted since Oct. 2, added up to 4,701. The flu vaccine that year wasn't a good match for the viruses in circulation, Dr. Mertz said. "The number of cases reported is an underestimate by far — a lot of people don't go to the doctor and don't get tested," Dr. Mertz said. "We encourage staff in long-term care facilities to be vaccinated," she said, adding that people who have contact with elderly people should get the flu vaccine each year.


collected by :Lucy William
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