People's updates on popular social networking websites such as Twitter about having coughs and colds could help health officials track early warning signs about flu outbreaks.
People's updates on popular social networking websites such as Twitter about having coughs and colds could help health officials track early warning signs about flu outbreaks.
The Health Protection Agency annual conference at Warwick University, UK, heard that such websites could indicate an outbreak of flu earlier than conventional disease surveillance methods based on doctor visits.
Swine Flu | Swine Influenza | Hog Flu | Pig Flu
Swine flu, a type of influenza caused by a new strain of the H1N1 Type A influenza virus has originated from the pigs. Winter always brings along the chills and the flu, make sure you're safe this season.
Swine flu, a type of influenza caused by a new strain of the H1N1 Type A influenza virus has originated from the pigs. Winter always brings along the chills and the flu, make sure you're safe this season.
Ed de Quincey, a computer scientist at City University London conducted the research and developed the system with his team at the City eHealth Research Centre.
"As UK public health agencies and the NHS are preparing for the approaching flu season amid the H1N1 pandemic, new forms of social interaction via web sites such as Twitter and Facebook can expand the sources used in monitoring such outbreaks," the Telegraph quoted him as saying.
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Canada is investigating possible outbreaks of the swine flu in its aboriginal communities, officials said, while downplaying fears that natives are falling more seriously ill than others.
Canada is investigating possible outbreaks of the swine flu in its aboriginal communities, officials said, while downplaying fears that natives are falling more seriously ill than others.
"We are currently analysing over a million 'tweets' that we have collected and exploring the potential of incorporating data from other social networking websites. We hope in the future to expand this approach to investigate other health issues such as drug and substance abuse," he added.
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