A new mapping tool brings together the functionality of HealthMap and Bio.DIASPORA to analyze the potential health threats to Canada due to the global convergence of people around the 2010 Olympic Games. HealthMap provides a means to track global infection trends via a Google Maps mashup that trolls the Internet for signs of emerging epidemics, while the Bio.DIASPORA system adds the global patterns of human travel via commercial airlines.
Disease outbreaks have surrounded similar global events in the past. The potential impact to Canada can be assessed with these tools, with analysis of who is coming to Canada for the games and the types of medical issues that are experienced in the country of origin. Such a tool can be useful for future international gatherings to help the host country be more prepared.
Read more about this effort in an article in today’s Globe and Mail.
