The map above shows green dots at the approximate centers of counties that were listed as active by FluWatch.com at least once during the 2001-2002 flu season. For large counties, the dots are placed according to their zip code locations as determined from MapQuest.com®. Display of the FluWatch.com active areas does not imply that influenza was absent in other areas.
Below is a seasonal histogram of U.S. Fluwatch activity levels as defined in the next paragraph.
The ZymeTx, Inc. rapid throat swab test, used as a basis for FluWatch reports, checks for influenza A and B, but does not differentiate them. FluWatch uses the following levels of flu activity in a given area. Watch: Positive flu results have been reported. Alert: Positive flu results are being reported as consistently as every other day in moderate numbers. Warning: Positive flu results are being reported consistently on a daily basis in high numbers. Epidemic: Flu is widespread in the area.
