Internet-based surveillance of Influenza-like-illness in the UK during the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Internet-based surveillance systems to monitor influenza-like illness (ILI) have advantages over traditional (physician-based) reporting systems, as they can potentially monitor a wider range of cases (i.e. including those that do not seek care). However, the requirement for participants to have internet access and to actively participate calls into question the representativeness of the data. Such systems have been in place in a number of European countries over the last few years, and in July 2009 this was extended to the UK. Here we present results of this survey with the aim of assessing the reliability of the data, and to evaluate methods to correct for possible biases.

Methods

Internet-based monitoring of ILI was launched near the peak of the first wave of t

SUBMITTER: Tilston NL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2988734 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature