IPhone App Pinpoints Swine Flu Outbreaks

Posted on September 5, 2009 in Consumer Goods, Health & Medicine, Technology

The latest tool to fight swine flu relies on a network of iPhone users who can track and report outbreaks in real time. Researchers at the Children’s Hospital Boston and MIT Media Lab have collaborated on the smart phone application.

“Outbreaks Near Me” is affiliated with HealthMap, a program that collects information about infectious diseases and publishes the user’s location in a contextualized view. Users can upload pictures of disease situations, which may be used on a worldwide map of outbreaks. You’ll receive an alert when outbreaks are reported in your general area, either on your phone or via e-mail.

HealthMap developers think the application will help consumers get involved in disease prevention and stay on top of crucial developments. The program could also help healthcare professionals identify outbreaks sooner. “We hope individuals will find the app to be a useful source of outbreak information—locally, nationally and globally,” said HealthMap co-founder John Brownstein.