Mapping the global spread of H1N1/Swine Flu in real time: Possible via Twitter Search API?

Do you know that it is possible to map the global spread of H1N1/Swine Flu virus in real time? It is possible thanks to Twitter Search API and here’s a video as proof of concept.



Mapping the global spread of H1N1/Swine Flu in real time: Possible via Twitter Search API?




As a former GIS geek, I can vouch that it is possible to track and map the global spread of H1N1/Swine Flu (read Swine Piggy Porky Pig Flu) virus in real time. All the data we need is there on Twitter and by tapping on the power of Twitter Search API, we can find and locate travelers (H1N1/Swine Flu carriers) going in and out of airports (don’t forget sailors and seaports) all around the globe.


Excellent but here’s the bad news, so far only Americans are nuts about tweeting. Twitter is nothing (a big time-waster to most) to people in other parts of the world. Twitter’s lack of global usage means it is not yet possible to use Twitter’s real time data to track and map the global spread of contagious diseases.

Too bad! Well, back to the drawing board.
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2 comments:

Cassie said...

Pretty interesting...

SAS, second great-grandson of Kulup Lembang said...

Cassie,

It is interesting. Perhaps 10 to 20 years from now, we might be able track and map the global spread of contagious diseases in real time. :)

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