Similar surveys to the UK flu survey have been taking place elsewhere in Europe for the last few years, collecting data about seasonal flu patterns. These data allow an up to date estimate of the incidence of influenza to be made. By collecting participants' approximate spatial locations, the spatial spread of infecion can also be observed.

First, the Dutch data (from the GroteGriepMeting website, which has over 20,000 users), showing that their epidemic really started to take off in October, and that flu levels were similar to those of seasonal flu in a normal year.

Below, we see that the epidemics in Portugal and Italy began in late October. Why some countries escaped an initial summer wave is a mystery - all large European countries imported lots of cases from the US and Mexico (and later from the UK) back in the summer, yet did not experience much onward transmission. What will happen next is also difficult to predict. Will there be another wave in the UK and elsewhere? Will we have seasonal flu? Keep filling out the survey to let us know. 

Flu surveillance elsewhere

In response to the outbreak of swine flu, internet-based surveillance has also started in Mexico, with around 4667 registered users, Australia with 8000 and Brazil with 472 registered users currently signed up.