Help track the spread of flu this winter

Flu experts are asking people living in the UK to take part in their annual flu surveillance scheme.

Each year, scientists at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine track the spread of seasonal flu across the UK by asking volunteers to report any flu-like symptoms they have experienced (or not) once a week on their website.

The UK FluSurvey is used to monitor flu across the country, and to flag up severity and trends early in the season.

The individual results are analysed and plotted on a series of interactive maps which are regularly updated, so people can follow the progress of this year's flu season.

For the first time, the UK FluSurvey will join up with a European network of online surveys, allowing the scientists to compare the spread of flu in the 10 different countries taking part.

It could also provide early indications of flu vaccine uptake and effectiveness, and whether the Government's decision not to run a national advertising campaign in England has had any impact.

The Flusurvey is the brainchild of scientists John Edmunds, Ken Eames and Sebastian Funk, of the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine.

Professor Edmonds said: "Being able to detect a flu epidemic before hospitals and GPs are snowed under with patients is vital.

"We set up the FluSurvey (flusurvey.org.uk) to allow the public to report their illness directly. Anyone can take part, just log on and do your bit to help us deal with the next epidemic."

In previous years, the online survey has attracted up to 5,000 participants. This year, the researchers hope to top this figure.

Dr Eames said: "The more people who join the better. Being part of the FluSurvey just takes a couple of minutes each week. We’re looking for thousands of volunteers to take up this opportunity to join in with an exciting scientific project to aid health research."

This article was published on Wed 9 November 2011