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Google Site Tracks Flu


November 17, 2008

During the last flu season, Google Inc. shared data on search queries for information on the illness with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Preliminary results showed a strong correlation between the level of queries in individual states and CDC's actual flu prevalence data.

Now, Mountain View, Calif.-based Google has launched Flu Trends, a new page where anyone can track the severity of flu in different regions of the country. A map of the United States shows the level of flu activity in each state based on Google searches. The levels are minimal, low, moderate, high and intense.

On November 14, for instance, nine states--primarily in the south--had a moderate level of instances of flu. A day later, seven states had moderate levels. Texas was the only state with a minimal level and all others had a low level.

The site also includes a zip code-based search for facilities offering flu shots. The site is available at google.com/flutrends.

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