We're delving into the untapped potential of social media platforms and search engines to predict the trajectories of infectious diseases, which might help authorities more effectively curb the spread of future pandemics.
Studies are highlighting how aggregated data from platforms like Google and Twitter can reveal that the volume of search queries related to flu-like symptoms and foreshadow regional outbreaks.
Computer models need to factor in all sorts of additional variables, such as where people tend to move around within a city or a country, the incubation time of a given disease... and vaccination rates. It's a complex picture, but studies are beginning to show results.
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