About Flutracking

Flutracking is an online survey that asks if you have had fever or cough or other symptoms in the last week. The survey takes just 10-15 seconds to answer and is sent via email each week.

FluTracking (HK) is an academic research study conducted by the School of Public Health, the University of Hong Kong in collaboration with the University of Newcastle, Australia.

We use this data to help track the spread of influenza-like-illness and COVID-19 in Hong Kong and provide early warning of potential outbreaks and monitor trends during pandemics.

Before you agree to volunteer for the Flutracking survey, you need to read and understand the following information.

Important Information

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• Description of the Program

  FluTracking (HK) is an academic research study conducted by the School of Public Health, the University of Hong Kong in collaboration with the University of Newcastle, Australia.

  If you agree to participate you will receive an email from us each week, when you click on the link in the email you will be taken to the survey website where you will be asked to complete some questions about yourself.

  You can also complete the survey for people you live with such as your partner or spouse, children, parents by clicking on the “add household members” link after completing these first questions about yourself.

  The following Monday after you sign up you will receive the first weekly survey email, where you will be asked if you (and any household members you have added) have had fever or cough in the last week.

  The survey will take approximately 10-15 seconds to complete. You will receive an email every week.

• Questions We Ask

  When you first sign up, you will be asked:

  • In what month and year were you born?
  • What is your gender?
  • What is your race?
  • What is your usual district of residence?
  • Have you received the Annual Flu vaccine?

  Those 15 years of age or older will also be asked:

  • What is your highest level of education?
  • Do you usually work face to face with patients in hospitals, nursing homes, doctors surgeries or as a community health worker?

  You will also be asked to complete these questions for any household members you add.

  The weekly survey questions are:

  • Did you have fever?
  • Did you have a cough?
  • Did you have a sore throat?
  • Did you have a runny nose?
  • Did you have shortness of breath?
  • Did you have any change in sense of taste or smell?
  • Have you received a COVID-19 vaccine?
  • Have you received the annual flu vaccine?

  If you have symptoms of fever and cough, you will also be asked:

  • Were you absent from work or normal daily duties due to your symptoms?
  • Number of days off work or interruption of normal daily activities?
  • Did you seek health advice from a nurse or doctor because of this illness?

  If you have added household members, you will then be asked to complete these same questions for them.

• Voluntary Participation

  Your participation in FluTracking (HK) is voluntary and you may refuse to answer questions or leave the survey at any time by clicking on the "unsubscribe" link in any emails we send or by contacting us via email or phone.

• Privacy

  Review our privacy and data use policy.

• Questions, Complaints and Contact Details

  FluTracking (HK) is an academic research study conducted by the School of Public Health, the University of Hong Kong in collaboration with the University of Newcastle, Australia.

  If you have further questions about this study and/or your participation, you are most welcome to contact Dr Eric Lau or Ms Teresa So (Email: flutrack@hku.hk or Phone: 3917 6714).

  Thank you for your interest and participation.

Consent and Agreement

Providing your email address and clicking the I Agree button, indicates that you agree to participate in Flutracking, have read the information above and have asked any questions you have about the program.

You will receive a link to confirm that you have consented to participate in this project.