Influenza Virus: Tracking, Predicting, and Forecasting

Influenza is a common respiratory infection that causes considerable morbidity and mortality worldwide each year. In recent years, along with the improvement in computational resources, there have been a number of important developments in the science of influenza surveillance and forecasting. Influenza surveillance systems have been improved by synthesizing multiple sources of information. Influenza forecasting has developed into an active field, with annual challenges in the United States that have stimulated improved methodologies. Work continues on the optimal approaches to assimilating surveillance data and information on relevant driving factors to improve estimates of the current situation (nowcasting) and to forecast future dynamics.

Automated summary

Influenza is a common respiratory infection that causes significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. Advances in computational resources have led to important developments in influenza surveillance and forecasting, including improving surveillance systems by synthesizing multiple sources of information and developing influenza forecasting as an active field. Further work is ongoing to assimilate surveillance data and relevant driving factors to enhance current situation estimates and forecast future dynamics.