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Tracking the Spread of the H1N1 Flu Virus

by Chris Pollette |

2 Comments | Add Comment

 

This map shows confirmed or probable cases in purple, and suspect cases in pink.

This map shows confirmed or probable cases in purple, and suspect cases in pink.

For whatever reason — out of concern, curiosity or just a desire to stay up to date with current events — people are going out of their way to track the H1N1 influenza virus (that’s the swine flu) in real time over the Internet.

There’s an Internet Explorer plug-in, for example. Or you can follow the Twitter feed for the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (that’s the CDC). Others have been watching different hashtags, both serious (#swineflu) and tongue in cheek (#hamdemic, #snoutbreak, #aporkalypse and #epigdemic). At the time I write this, #swineflu is the first hashtag listed on hashtags.org.

But for those of you who like maps, and I’d wager that’s many of you, you should look at the Google Map of the outbreak, though if you’re interested in seeing all the Google Maps on it, there are plenty more. There are also lots of other cool Google Map mashups there, many of them aren’t as depressing as the flu tracker.

It’s easy to stay glued to the computer for news on this outbreak, because it’s moving so rapidly and there’s a lot of information about it online. It’s interesting and will help you learn if there have been any cases reported near you.

But it’s also easy to become obsessed with it, too. This virus is serious, yes, but try your best to stay calm, and when you seek updates, make sure you’re checking in with reputable sources with accurate information about H1N1.

If you’d like to learn more about the technology that helps us track events in our lives, take a look at these articles:

How Twitter Works
How Google Earth Works
What’s new with Internet Explorer 8?

 

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2 Comments

  • Ann says:

    I live in Toronto, Ontario and have been sick for 6 days now. I was originally given penicillin for what was thought to be strep throat even though the doctor did not perform the proper test. Since then I have had all other symptoms of H1N1. They are no longer performing tests here for possible cases so I have been told I had a probable case.

    And your wondering how it feels. Think of the worse sore throat, the worse flu and the worse lingering headache you have ever had and now multipy that by 100. This flu is totally brutal. I have been extremely ill since Monday just now in the last half hour have begun to feel marginally better.

    I urge you all to get the shot if you can and stock up on water, ginger ale, Tylenol 3, soup and some electrolyte replacement.

    This is the sickest I have ever been.

  • anxietyboy says:

    H1N1 or Swine Flu is a bit scary but it a good thing to note that this virus is not that very deadly.

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