Using Social Media to Track Potential Pandemics?

Early detection and early response are key to preventing the spread of any disease.

Makes sense, but how do you detect disease outbreaks in real time?

While important systems exist for reporting and tracking disease, they’re not perfect, missing those who don’t go to the doctor, and a bit slow because it takes time for reports to be collected and sent to health departments.

We believe that letting individuals report symptoms in real-time can complement traditional tracking while providing useful information directly to the public.

Created by epidemiologists at Harvard, Boston Children’s Hospital and The Skoll Global Threats Fund, Flu Near You relies on voluntary participation from the general public, asking you to take a few seconds each week to report if you or your family members have been healthy or sick.

We analyze thousands of reports and map them to generate local and national views of influenza-like illness, providing public health officials and researchers with real-time, anonymous information that could help prevent the next pandemic.

With your help, we can all see what’s coming and - better still- you have the knowledge to protect yourself and your family against disease.