Google releases experimental flu trends data for Mexico

Last Nov, we noted that Google was using search data to explore flu trends in the US. With the outbreak of the swine flu (sorry, H1N1 influenza), Google has decided to release new search data to health officials and the public.

This search data shows flu trends for Mexico. Note the word ‘trends’. We should re-emphasize what Google is saying and note that this is useful for modeling what’s happening and studying the situation, but not necessarily an accurate predictor of what’s to happen.