Track Infections with ‘Outbreaks Near Me’ iPhone app

Unlock iPhone, Jailbreak iPhone and iPhone Unlocking

9/05/2009 10:25:00 PM - 0 comments

The contribution of the iPhone in dealing with various social causes is not unknown. It was not too long ago when Apple App Store approved of a breakthrough application to track the menace of swine flu called the Swine Flu Tracker app.

Since then, there has been many such applications knocking at the doors of Apple to be a part of the prestigious iTunes App Store. One such application that has managed to garner many eyeballs in its recent release is an application connoted ‘Outbreaks Near Me’.

‘Outbreaks Near Me’ app facilitates iPhone users to track and report local outbreaks of infectious disease. This application has been developed by researchers at Children's Hospital Boston and the MIT Media Lab. The application skillfully combines the inbuilt GPS system in the iPhone with outbreak tracking information from HealthMap.org. The HealthMap.org is a cutting edge system that unearths official and unofficial Internet data sources for information on outbreaks of infectious diseases.

How it works

Outbreaks Near Me app not only allows ‘location-based alerts’ of infectious disease outbreaks, but also allows iPhone users to set alerts to notify users of new local outbreaks especially when they are foraying into new areas.

The basic purpose of this application according to HealthMap.org co-founder John S. Brownstein is to make people aware of the prevailing health conditions and the precautions (including vaccinations) they ought to take accordingly while traveling to a new location.

The ‘Outbreaks Near Me’ app however, does not limit itself to just providing alerts, but also allows users to submit reports including photos (if possible) of potential outbreaks from their own iPhones, to be reviewed later by HealthMap. The application has been a major assistance in offering H1N1 alerts in recent times.

Experts in this field have acknowledged the contribution of the ‘Outbreaks Near Me’ app in cautioning people about H1N1 affected areas; even though it may not be probably beneficial in diagnosing individual H1N1 cases. However, experts consider the app as a very interesting technique, which could be fruitful in offering health officials with additional information on general incidence trends.

Basic Concept – For the people, by the people

The basic concept behind the ‘Outbreaks Near Me’ app is an attempt to place public health information in the hands of a larger number of people. With the help of this app, IPhone users who would like to seek information about the spread of swine flu or other infectious diseases in their area can track reports in real time.

Sharing his thoughts on this, Chris Freifeld, co-founder of HealthMap has said that this app has been developed for the empowerment of citizens in the cause of public health. It will not only provide users quick access to real-time information, but also encourage them to share their own observations, knowledge and expertise as well.

‘Outbreaks Near Me’ app is available for free download in the iTunes App Store. Statistics indicate that about 5,000 people downloaded the app on its first day.

Posted: Seuli.B