# 2613
As a blogger, I remain in awe of the work being done by the scores of volunteer newshounds on the various flu forums. I've chronicled their work a number of times, including here, and here.
While most people probably think of flu forums as social gathering places, where those interested in pandemics and EIDs (Emerging Infectious Diseases) gather to discuss them . . . that isn't their main focus nor their greatest value.
Flu forums have become well-organized compendiums of pandemic and infectious disease information, with everything from excerpts and links to scientific studies, to a multi-year tracking of outbreaks from just about every corner of the world.
Foreign language reports are translated (and not just into English! Several forums translate into Spanish, and French as well.), and well versed forum members help put this information into context.
Flu forums, like the Flu Wiki, and FluTrackers, have become serious specialized research libraries. And they are used as such by thousands of health professionals, students, and researchers each and every day.
AlohaOR, on the Flu Wiki, has put together a massive year-in-review; with synopses and links to the original reports, on hundreds of events from 2008.
This was an enormous undertaking (believe me, I know. I did something similar on this blog in December of 2007, and vowed never again!), and AlohaOR deserves a big round of applause, as do the newshounds on all of the flu forums that worked so hard throughout the year finding these stories.
2008: Year in Review (+)
by: AlohaOR
Wed Dec 31, 2008 at 19:32:23 PM EST
The Mother of All News Summaries (on Flu Wiki)
