A new iPhone application developed by the Harvard Health Publications Division of the Harvard Medical School is now available in the iTunes App Store. Dubbed the “HMSMobile Swine Flu Center,” the app is touted as being a vital tool that leverages Harvard’s extensive knowledge and provides the public with timely information on the prevention and outbreaks of the H1N1 virus, also known as the Swine Flu.

“The H1N1 pandemic presents a significant public health threat,” Dr. Anthony L. Komaroff, professor of medicine at the Harvard Medical School and editor-in-chief of Harvard Health Publications, said. “The White House has carefully examined the spread of the virus and their decision to sign an emergency declaration is a clear signal that we could be facing the most serious pandemic in a generation. Nothing is more important at this time than making sure the public is informed and prepared,” he commented.

According to the Harvard Health Publications Division of the Harvard Medical School, the HMSMobile Swine Flu Center application will give users access to the following content:

- Video guides on how people can protect themselves, and how they can protect others from them if they get sick;
- Interactive tools to help users determine if they (or their children) may have caught the swine (H1N1) flu, what to do and when to contact the doctor;
- Information on local hotlines with information about H1N1 flu in that community (as determined by the iPhone’s GPS);
- News feeds from the Harvard Medical School summarizing the latest information about H1N1, including updates from the Center for Disease Control and local public health officials;
- A question-and-answer capability in which the answers to selected questions will be broadcast in text, or as new videos;
- “Outbreaks Near Me,” a program developed by Dr. John Brownstein and colleagues, that enables users to track and report outbreaks of infectious diseases;
- Advice about survival kits, in case the epidemic becomes serious enough that many people are working from home and avoid going out.

Also provided with HMSMobile Swine Flu Center is a special component for the business community, according to the official announcement. Developed by Harvard Business School, the business-aimed area provides information on how to best prepare enterprises for managing through the pandemic.

Download HMSMobile Swine Flu Center ($1.99)