Battle Pandemics in a Digital World | Image Source : Superstock.com

People concerned about contracting the H1N1 virus, or any other potential illness now have some new tools to help them keep tracking of pandemics and stay healthy.

In the age when digital devices rule, consumers and health organizations can now stay up to date on the latest flu-related information with a few taps of a button, thanks to the increasing number of iPhone apps, social networks and informative Web sites dedicated to the cause. Users can now share information and track other health threats instantaneously.

For example, the HealthMap Outbreaks Near Me iPhone (News – Alert) application displays red pins on a map, which show nearby cases of swine flu. The app also shows how users can report cases they know about. The app is one of more than 100 swine flu apps for Apple (News – Alert) Inc.’s iPhone, according to The Associated Press. Some are free, whereas are fee-based.

Beyond consumer apps, the CDC News Reader iPhone app, gives officials from the Center for Disease Control swine flu updates, public health articles and travel notices. What’s more, swineAware offers links to swine flu statistics and briefings from the CDC and the World Health Organization.

Such applications can help reduce the number of people infected by the virus. The H1N1 virus, also known as swine flu, claimed more than 11,000 lives and required the hospitalization of some 250,000 people, more than the number in a typical flu season, The AP said. Read more ……

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