Can we improve the prediction of the influenza onset and save money in the process?

Abstract

Each year, up to 650 000 people die of respiratory diseases linked to seasonal flu world-wide and billions of dollars are spent in preventing and mitigating its impact. Much of thissocial and economic burden could be prevented if the beginning of the Influenza outbreakwas timely known. This study predicts the outbreak’s commencement using a diverse rangeof data and then estimates the economic impact from a timely alarm of the outbreak’s ar-rival. Weekly maximum levels of precipitation along with fever and cough in the youngerpopulation were found among the most significant predictors of the onset.