News Central: Bangladeshis Use Social Media to Tackle a Dengue Outbreak. “As government resources are seemingly overwhelmed by the severity of this recent spike in dengue cases, people are turning to social media to voice their complaints, share information about the spread of the virus, and to spread awareness about how people can protect themselves.”
epidemics
The Jerusalem Post: Israeli researchers develop algorithm to predict infectious diseases
The Jerusalem Post: Israeli researchers develop algorithm to predict infectious diseases. “The algorithm was first tested in blood samples taken from healthy people from the Netherlands. Some samples were infected with Salmonella bacteria and the immune response recorded. While existing genomic analysis methods did not uncover differences between groups, the algorithm revealed significant differences that were tied to subsequent variations in bacteria-killing abilities.”
TechCrunch: Facebook releases a trio of maps to aid with fighting disease outbreaks
TechCrunch: Facebook releases a trio of maps to aid with fighting disease outbreaks. “Facebook this morning announced a new initiative focused on using its data and technologies to help nonprofit organizations and universities working in public health better map the spread of infectious diseases around the world. Specifically, the company is introducing three new maps: population density maps with demographic estimates, movement maps, and network coverage maps. These, says Facebook, will help the health partners to understand where people live, how they’re moving, and if they have connectivity — all factors that can aid in determining how to respond to outbreaks, and where supplies should be delivered.”
Science Daily: New analysis predicts top U.S. counties at risk for measles outbreaks
Science Daily: New analysis predicts top U.S. counties at risk for measles outbreaks. “A new analysis identified 25 United States counties that are most likely to experience measles outbreaks in 2019. The analysis combined international air travel volume, non-medical exemptions from childhood vaccinations, population data and reported measles outbreak information.”
EurekAlert: Index that tracks impact of pharmaceuticals worldwide to relaunch, focus on more diseases
EurekAlert: Index that tracks impact of pharmaceuticals worldwide to relaunch, focus on more diseases. “The Global Health Impact Index, developed by faculty at Binghamton University, State University of New York to rank pharmaceutical companies based on their drugs’ impact on global health, is launching a new, more-robust model that addresses even more diseases worldwide.”
BuzzFeed News: Indiegogo Will Ban Anti-Vaccine Fundraisers As Measles Cases Surge To A Record Level
BuzzFeed News: Indiegogo Will Ban Anti-Vaccine Fundraisers As Measles Cases Surge To A Record Level. “Crowdfunding site Indiegogo will no longer allow anti-vaccine fundraisers or any projects making health claims that do not have a scientific backing, the company said Friday. The move comes after anti-vaccine advocates raised $86,543 for a documentary based on the false claim that vaccines cause autism.”
How did Ebola information spread on twitter: broadcasting or viral spreading? (BMC Public Health)
BMC Public Health: How did Ebola information spread on twitter: broadcasting or viral spreading? . “Information and emotions towards public health issues could spread widely through online social networks. Although aggregate metrics on the volume of information diffusion are available, we know little about how information spreads on online social networks. Health information could be transmitted from one to many (i.e. broadcasting) or from a chain of individual to individual (i.e. viral spreading). The aim of this study is to examine the spreading pattern of Ebola information on Twitter and identify influential users regarding Ebola messages.”
