Roche launches influenza surveillance system:
This article was originally published in Clinica
Executive Summary
Roche has launched in the US a local surveillance system for influenza that combines a rapid outpatient flu test and information on infection in an area. FluSTAR (System for Tracking and Reporting flu) is faster and more localised that some laboratory culture-based surveillance networks, Roche said. The system has been co-developed by Roche and Surveillance Data, which is operating it. The location and spread of the disease can be tracked on the system's website, www.flustar.com. Up to 40 million people develop flu each year in the US, with 300,000 hospitalisations and 20,000-40,000 deaths.