Influenzanet is a system to monitor the activity of influenza-like-illness (ILI) with the aid of volunteers via the internet

http://www.influenzanet.eu/

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Developing the framework for an epidemic forecast infrastructure.
http://www.epiwork.eu/

The Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) bundles all research-related EU initiatives.

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Participating countries and volunteers:

The Netherlands 20244
Belgium 7329
Portugal 1641
Italy 4032
Great Britain 5281
Sweden 1589
Germany 37
Austria 7
Switzerland 5
France 3786
InfluenzaNet is a system to monitor the activity of influenza-like-illness (ILI) with the aid of volunteers via the internet. It has been operational in The Netherlands and Belgium (since 2003), Portugal (since 2005) and Italy (since 2008), and the current objective is to implement InfluenzaNet in more European countries.

In contrast with the traditional system of sentinel networks of mainly primary care physicians coordinated by the European Influenza Surveillance Scheme (EISS), InfluenzaNet obtains its data directly from the population. This creates a fast and flexible monitoring system whose uniformity allows for direct comparison of ILI rates between countries.

Any resident of a country where InfluenzaNet is implemented can participate by completing an online application form, which contains various medical, geographic and behavioural questions. Participants are reminded weekly to report any symptoms they have experienced since their last visit. The incidence of ILI is determined on the basis of a uniform case definition.

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About the UK flu survey

The flusurvey is an online system for measuring influenza trends in the UK. 

In contrast to traditional surveillance methods, the flusurvey collects data directly from the general public, rather than via hospitals or GPs. This is particularly important because many people with flu don't visit a doctor so don't feature in traditional flu surveillance. 

Each week, participants report any flu-like symptoms they have experienced since their last visit. We provide participants with regular updates on the epidemic, all the latest news and advice about flu.  

History of the flusurvey

The UK flu survey was launched on 16th July 2009, in the middle of the swine flu epidemic. It is part of a Europe-wide initiative to monitor influenza-like illness (ILI) activity.

Flu surveys in other countries

The internet has been used to monitor patterns of influenza-like-illness (ILI) in the Netherlands and Belgium since 2003, in Portugal since 2005 and Italy since 2007. From 2011, Austria, France , Germany , Sweden  and Switzerland  are also running their versions of the flusurvey.

Netherlands and Belgium: http://www.grotegriepmeting.nl 

Portugal: http://www.gripenet.pt 

Italy: http://www.influweb.it/ 

Austria, Germany and Switzerland: http://www.aktivgegengrippe.de

France: http://www.epipop.fr

Sweden: http://influensakoll.se/