title: Leveraging social networking sites for disease surveillance and public sensing: the case of the 2013 avian influenza A(H7N9) outbreak in China.
abstract: We conducted in-depth analysis on the use of a popular Chinese social networking and microblogging site, Sina Weibo, to monitor an avian influenza A(H7N9) outbreak in China and to assess the value of social networking sites in the surveillance of disease outbreaks that occur overseas. Two data sets were employed for our analysis: a line listing of confirmed cases obtained from conventional public health information channels and case information from Weibo posts. Our findings showed that the level of activity on Weibo corresponded with the number of new cases reported. In addition, the reporting of new cases on Weibo was significantly faster than those of conventional reporting sites and non-local news media. A qualitative review of the functions of Weibo also revealed that Weibo enabled timely monitoring of other outbreak-relevant information, provided access to additional crowd-sourced epidemiological information and was leveraged by the local government as an interactive platform for risk communication and monitoring public sentiment on the policy response. Our analysis demonstrated the potential for social networking sites to be used by public health agencies to enhance traditional communicable disease surveillance systems for the global surveillance of overseas public health threats. Social networking sites also can be used by governments for calibration of response policies and measures and for risk communication.
authors: Epidemiology and Disease Control Division, Public Health Group, Ministry of Health, Singapore . ; The first two authors contributed equally to this study.
authors: Emma Xuxiao
authors: EX
authors: Zhang
authors: Social and Cognitive Computing Department and Computing Science Department, Institute of High Performance Computing (IHPC), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (ASTAR), Singapore . ; The first two authors contributed equally to this study.
authors: Yinping
authors: Y
authors: Yang
authors: School of Business, Public Administration and Information Sciences, Long Island University Brooklyn, New York, United States of America .
authors: Richard
authors: R
authors: Di Shang
authors: Social and Cognitive Computing Department and Computing Science Department, Institute of High Performance Computing (IHPC), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (ASTAR), Singapore .
authors: Joseph John Pyne
authors: JJ
authors: Simons
authors: Social and Cognitive Computing Department and Computing Science Department, Institute of High Performance Computing (IHPC), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (ASTAR), Singapore .
authors: Boon Kiat
authors: BK
authors: Quek
authors: Social and Cognitive Computing Department and Computing Science Department, Institute of High Performance Computing (IHPC), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (ASTAR), Singapore .
authors: Xiao Feng
authors: XF
authors: Yin
authors: Epidemiology and Disease Control Division, Public Health Group, Ministry of Health, Singapore .
authors: Wanhan
authors: W
authors: See
authors: Epidemiology and Disease Control Division, Public Health Group, Ministry of Health, Singapore .
authors: Olivia Seen Huey
authors: OS
authors: Oh
authors: Epidemiology and Disease Control Division, Public Health Group, Ministry of Health, Singapore .
authors: Khine Sein Tun
authors: KS
authors: Nandar
authors: Epidemiology and Disease Control Division, Public Health Group, Ministry of Health, Singapore .
authors: Vivienne Ruo Yun
authors: VR
authors: Ling
authors: Epidemiology and Disease Control Division, Public Health Group, Ministry of Health, Singapore .
authors: Pei Pei
authors: PP
authors: Chan
authors: Social and Cognitive Computing Department and Computing Science Department, Institute of High Performance Computing (IHPC), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (ASTAR), Singapore .
authors: Zhaoxia
authors: Z
authors: Wang
authors: Social and Cognitive Computing Department and Computing Science Department, Institute of High Performance Computing (IHPC), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (ASTAR), Singapore .
authors: Rick Siow Mong
authors: RS
authors: Goh
authors: Epidemiology and Disease Control Division, Public Health Group, Ministry of Health, Singapore .
authors: Lyn
authors: L
authors: James
authors: Epidemiology and Disease Control Division, Public Health Group, Ministry of Health, Singapore .
authors: Jeannie Su Hui
authors: JS
authors: Tey
mesh_terms: D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D003141:Communicable Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D062665:Epidemiological Monitoring; D006801:Humans; D064766:Influenza A Virus, H7N9 Subtype; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D062486:Public Health Surveillance / Q000379:methods*; D061108:Social Media