
Internet search engine company Google has launched a new online tool to help track the spread of influenza in the United States.
The company has found that Americans falling ill search for advice about flu online using its web facilities before they seek help from a doctor.
Search patterns are analysed and mapped to where flu is spreading.
Google says the method may be able to warn of a flu epidemic up to 10 days earlier than existing techniques.
The tool is only currently available in the US, but Google says it hopes to expand it to include other countries and diseases.
You're in Easy Mode. If you prefer, you can use XHTML Mode instead. |