Influenza System for Tracking and Reporting

The surveillance of a communicable disease, like influenza, is fundamental for both disease prevention and control.

FluSTAR is a comprehensive influenza surveillance network sponsored by Roche Pharmaceuticals. The FluSTAR system was developed to provide representatives, health care professionals and consumers with the most up to date information on the spread of influenza during the influenza season.

FluSTAR is unique because it is the only surveillance network relying on rapid test results as well as additional data sources on influenza and influenza-like illness. Data for FluSTAR is gathered from four different surveillance methods including rapid assay data and clinical diagnosis data. Based on all of the surveillance methods a regional as well as a national picture on influenza activity is generated.

FluSTAR reports on influenza data from the nearest market for which information is collected.