FAQ
OutbreakThreat is an independent informational tool. It is not a government agency and it is not medical advice. Every alert links to the original agency notice.
- Is OutbreakThreat a government website?
- No. We compile links and summaries from official agencies and other vetted public sources. Your local health department and your doctor are the right contacts for medical decisions.
- Is this medical advice?
- No. OutbreakThreat is an informational tool. It does not diagnose conditions, recommend treatments, or assess personal risk. Always follow guidance from your healthcare provider.
- What is free vs. paid?
- The map, disease pages, public reports, and the alert index are free to browse. A Free plan (email sign-in, no card) allows one watch and a weekly digest. Instant email starts on Family and Pro.
- How do I get local disease alerts?
- Create an account, choose a subscription plan, save a watch area (home, school, business, or travel destination), and select the diseases you want to follow. You will only receive email for notices that match your preferences.
- What does "official" mean on OutbreakThreat?
- Official alerts come directly from a government health agency like WHO, CDC, FDA, or a state health department. We link to the original notice so you can read the full text and context.
- What is the difference between an outbreak alert and a confirmed outbreak?
- An alert on OutbreakThreat is a dated notice from an agency or reputable source. It might be an investigation update, a health advisory, or a surveillance report. It is not the same as a final case count or an officially declared outbreak. Agencies refine their wording as investigations continue.
- How often is outbreak data updated?
- We check our source agencies multiple times per day. New notices typically appear on OutbreakThreat within hours. Our editorial summaries are reviewed during business hours (Central Time).
- Can I get alerts for my home, school, or business?
- Yes. A Free account can save one watch area and receive a weekly digest of matching official notices, with no card required. Paid plans add more watches, and Family/Pro can send near-real-time email. The map and alert index stay free to browse.
- Where does OutbreakThreat get its data?
- OutbreakThreat reads public notices from WHO Disease Outbreak News, CDC Health Alert Network and outbreak feeds, FDA food recalls, and selected national and state health agency feeds. Every alert links to the original agency URL. The sources page lists the agencies we monitor and the limits of that data.
- How do I report a correction?
- Use the contact form (topic: Corrections) or the corrections page. If an agency updates or retracts its own notice, we update the linked alert to match that source.