The researchers will collect information on how the flu and other contagious diseases may be better detected, monitored and controlled.
The study is recruiting 10,000 Seattle residents and visitors showing flu-like symptoms in the current season and will create a first-of-its-kind citywide network for tracking infectious diseases.
At designated kiosks, researchers will ask participants to give a simple nasal swab and basic personal and health information. The pathogens found in the samples will undergo genetic sequencing and be compared genetically and geographically.
“A century after the great flu pandemic that sickened one-third of the world’s population, influenza remains a potent threat to global health,” said Trevor Bedford, PhD, lead data scientist for the study. “The Seattle Flu Study will provide a more detailed understanding than we have today of how the flu virus spreads, allowing us to develop guidance and tools to curb or even prevent transmission.”
To learn more, visit the study website.
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