I’m really looking forward to attending the Infection 2009 conference in Birmingham next week as its press officer, a major scientific conference which is debating superbugs like swine flu, as well as epidemics and pandemics.
One of the studies which will be featured includes the results of a unique report by research scientists who are using social network sites like Twitter for Epidemic Intelligence to gather vital data about influenza and swine flu so they have an early warning about pandemics.
It is believed to be the first time ever that surveillance of this kind has been carried out using Twitter. Its use is also being considered by NHS Online and the Health Protection Agency for the London 2012 Olympics, in collaboration with researchers from City ehealth Research Centre, City University, London, when the need for advance health preparation will be paramount.
As swine flu figures continue to soar and vaccination programmes are rolled out around the world, the conference will also focus on other infections which have considerably increased, including TB, many of which are resistant to antibiotics.
Hosted by the Federation of Infection Societies, Infection 2009 is the largest and most prestigious scientific conference in the UK. It is being held on 11-13 November at the International Convention Centre, Birmingham and will be led by Conference President Sir Richard Sykes, chairman of NHS London.
The number of health professionals involved in the management of infections who have signed up for this timely conference have soared in the last couple of weeks from 400 to almost 700, a clear indication of the concerns about these devastating infections. The conference will address the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of infection diseases, both in the medical and surgical arena.
Research scientists Ed de Quincey, Patty Kostkova and Sue Wiseman, from the City 
ehealth Research Centre, believe that using Twitter and other social network sites like Facebook can boost the present Epidemic Intelligence being used by public health authorities which is based mainly on information provided by traditional surveillance systems and monitoring of online sources and media.
The ongoing trial, which started on 7th May 2009, tracked more than 1 million tweets up until the end of August which referred to influenza, including the actual tweets “I have swine flu†and “I have the flu†, or mentioning “H1N1â€, “death†or “outbreakâ€.
Dr Kostkova believes there were two main advantages for using Twitter: unlike Google searches (used to generate Google Flu trends), posts to twitter are freely available and could be searched at “real time†which makes then an invaluable source for an early warning system. The team is now trying to determine the geographic location of the tweets in order to localise early warning alerts for public health authorities.
Dr Kostkova added that monitoring discussions in social networks could enhance traditional surveillance methods in the run up and during the 2012 Olympics, which is currently under consideration, to provide an early alert of infections. It could also be extended to a separate study to monitor STDs and offer advice on safe and healthy sex.
The study by City University is in addition to key presentations on Epidemic Intelligence which will be made at the conference. Dr Frank Rijsberman, from Google.org, will describe how Google’s Flu Trends uses web searches to monitor references about influenza in parts of the world and predict the next pandemic. Prof Neil Ferguson, who advises the UK, US and Chinese governments and the World Health Organisation on the management of the swine flu pandemic, will discuss the challenges of real-time outbreak analysis and working with ever-changing and incomplete data. Prof Lindsey Davies will also describe her key role in the Department of Health’s pandemic preparedness programme; she has led the Department of Health’s pandemic preparedness programme for the last three years.
The next generation of “bug free†hospitals will also be showcased at the conference, with an emphasis on infection control. The Design Council has produced some novel items of furniture, materials and clinical equipment to deliver improved clinical practice and better patient care.
I know so many people at the moment with viruses and different infections. I hope I stay bug-free so I can attend this really interesting conference. I am going to record some videos and take photos too – and will naturally twitter from there as and when I can. You can follow me on http://twitter.com/elleeseymour
I am also looking forward to its Masquerade Ball and now wish I had bought one of the stunning masks I saw in Venice this summer.
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Not sure how long you will be in Birmingham for, but maybe we could meet up.
Jeez. Do you even pretend to be a serious blogger any more, Ellee ?
Cameron jacks out on the Lisbon Treaty referendum and what do we get from you ???
Sorry. I’m not coming back. And deep down you know I’m right not to come back.
Your passion for helping people is wonderful Ellee. You are definitely in your element and have so much to contribute. This sounds like a very interesting conference!
Cherry Pie, Yes, if I have the chance, that would be great.
Kevin, I’m not surprised, I didn’t expect it to happen. If there were 40 hours in the day, I might have had the chance to write about it.
Michael, The work these scientists do is so important to fight infections which are increasing all the time. I am really enjoying it.
Enjoy the conference Ellee.
Sorry Ellee your reply to E Kevin ( a fellow bloger I might add ) is not good enough .
You are happy to be a Tory supporter and agent when you think it will go the party way but after the utter betrayal by the boy Dave ” I give you a cast iron guarantee ” you are drop dead silent.
Your supposed to be a political blogger , therefore blog on this most important of issues or leave it to those who can.
You must have a view , what is it , give us a chance to debate otherwise I suggest you and everyone else look at Guido Fawkes.
Seems your other kindred spirit Ian Dale is equally reticent .Cant take the truth ?
Winston Churchill must be turning in his grave with the thought of you lot.
Ill start you off , the Lisbon traaty in self amending therefore the claim from Cameroon to be making sure that future treaties will be examined is an utter falsehood to confuse the people of this country .
There will be NO further treaties required, the deed is done .
We have been sold down the river and after all the suffering of World War 2 Hitlers great plan will yet come into being ( after all it is Germany that is running this game ) given the time and conditions we could yet see a federalist state jackboot marching over this great dream .
Very interesting to read what people are thinking/doing re Twitter as a tool in a research process.
Wonder what views there might be on other tools like some of the iPhone apps that have appeared in recent months that enable you to track and report cases of swine flu (and other diseases) where you happen to be.
Two come to mind – HealthMap and the swine flu app from Harvard Medical School, both of which I’ve been trying out. Impressive.
What impact/influence would such apps have in controlled research, I wonder?
Anyway, have a great conference, look forward to your posts and tweets. Is there a hashtag, btw?
Disaffected and Kevin, sorry to disappoint. I will write a post about this soon. I agree this whole business has not gone well. I have my disappointments too, though they may not be the same as yours.
Neville, I was interested to hear about the apps you are trying. I will be blogging and twittering from the conference when I can. The hashtag is #infection2009 if you want to follow.