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Frequently Asked Questions
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Frequently asked questions
Getting Started
EpiSense focuses on viral diseases, in other words contagious diseases that spread due to a virus.
We currently track six viral diseases: RSV, Measles, Influenza A, Influenza B, COVID-19, and Rhinovirus (a type of the "common cold").
We plan to expand the diseases we track in the future. Tell us what you think we should add next by emailing us at hello@episense.ca. (hello@episense.ca.)
Click on the Login button in the top right corner and enter your username and password.
You will see your name if you are already logged in. Your browser may keep you logged in if you are using the same device. Remember to log out after your session if you are using a public or shared device like a computer at the library.
There are six infectious diseases in the Dashboard. Enter your postal code to show the information for the region of your choice. Currently, data is only available for Ontario.
For each disease you will see two pieces of information:
1. Activity: This tells you the level of circulation in the community compared to the average for Ontario. The levels are on a five-point scale of Very Low, Low, Moderate, High, Very High. We estimate this using data from multiple sources - like public health reported case counts.
2. Weekly Trend: This tells you if activity is higher, lower, or about the same compared to last week. This helps you quickly see whether a disease is spreading, shrinking, or staying steady in your area.
Click on the info icon ⓘ on each disease card to view more information including common symptoms and average infection timeline.
Outbreak alerts
If there is one or more active outbreaks in the area, a red box will appear around the disease card. EpiSense defines an outbreak using the World Health Organization’s criteria:
“the occurrence of cases of disease in excess of what would normally be expected in a defined community, geographical area, or season.”
In simpler terms, this means more cases than usual for that place and time.
For example, if many more people than normal get sick in a given week, or in a specific setting (like a nursing home or school), we may report an outbreak for the postal region that specific setting belongs to. Sometimes, an outbreak can also affect only a certain group—like RSV in infants or flu in older adults.
The disease levels information is based on a combination of public health data, epidemiology modelling by our EpiSense team, and symptom data reported by EpiSense community members. The more people that report their health symptoms, including when they are healthy, helps to improve the dashboard for everyone. Report on your health once a week to help our community thrive!
EpiSense is designed to improve over time. Our models will gradually include more data sources, like wastewater signals, news trends, and additional lab testing results. As we add new information, the way we calculate activity, outbreaks, and trends may change, making your dashboard even more accurate.
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