Abstract
Kinsa Inc. sells Food and Drug Administration-cleared smart thermometers, which synchronize with a mobile application, and may aid influenza forecasting efforts. We compare smart thermometer and mobile application data to regional influenza and influenza-like illness surveillance data from the California Department of Public Health. We evaluated the correlation between the regional California surveillance data and smart thermometer data, tested the hypothesis that smart thermometer readings and symptom reports provide regionally specific predictions, and determined whether smart thermometer and mobile application improved disease forecasts. Smart thermometer readings are highly correlated with regional surveillance data, are more predictive of surveillance data for their own region and season than for other times and places, and improve predictions of influenza, but not predictions of influenza-like illness. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that smart thermometer readings and symptom reports reflect underlying disease transmission in California. Data from such cloud-based devices could supplement syndromic influenza surveillance data.
Highlights
Participatory surveillance systems, or systems that encourage the general public to voluntarily report health-related information, have the potential to strengthen disease surveillance systems and provide real-time estimates of disease burden.[1]
We examine smart thermometer readings and symptom reports from a mobile application and their relationship to influenza laboratory surveillance data and influenza-like illnesses (ILIs) surveillance data by California region
Smart thermometer readings and symptom reports are more predictive of influenza and ILI for their own region and season than for other times and places
Summary
Participatory surveillance systems, or systems that encourage the general public to voluntarily report health-related information, have the potential to strengthen disease surveillance systems and provide real-time estimates of disease burden.[1] Influenza and influenza-like illnesses (ILIs) are significant public health concerns, but the timing and peak intensity vary considerably from season to season and regionally. Prediction of influenza and ILI trends could be used to help plan and execute an effective public health response.[2] In addition, delays in obtaining surveillance data have garnered interest in nowcasting, or the use of forecasting techniques to estimate current influenza and ILI activity.[3] Kinsa Inc. sells Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-cleared Bluetooth and wired thermometers nationally and internationally These smart thermometers synchronize with a mobile application, which records temperature readings and can be used to record symptoms. Typically members of the same household, may share a thermometer, users may indicate which temperature readings and symptom reports belong to a specific user
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