The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is inviting all iPad users to join the agency’s Epidemic Intelligence Service and help solve disease outbreaks – virtually, that is.
It’s only a game, but the three fictional outbreaks in the CDC’s new iPad app are based on real-life events. Users get clues, review data, and make decisions in trying to identify the cause of the disease outbreak.
Courtesy of the CDC
The CDC's iPad app lets gamers solve disease outbreaks.
Along the way, they learn health tips, definitions, and information about epidemiology, and they can advance in "rank" as they earn points from the game’s activities. They also can share their results and challenge other participants through social media such as Twitter and Facebook.
The CDC says it will add new cases of disease outbreaks to its "Solve the Outbreak" app over time.
If you enjoyed the film "Contagion" or delight in the writings of Berton Roueché (such as "The Medical Detectives" or my personal favorite, "Eleven Blue Men"), this mobile game may be for you.
The CDC’s own real-life disease detectives, also known as Epidemic Intelligence Service officers, are called on to drop everything and fly anywhere in the world when they’re needed to investigate mysterious disease outbreaks, natural and man-made disasters, and public health emergencies. Now, in a certain way, you can go with them.
"Solve the Outbreak" is available for free in the iTunes store.
On Twitter @sherryboschert