Google is teaming up with the CDC to offer a flu-tracking engine that they have been developing over the last f ew years.  It is based on the fact that web searches for flu symptoms and treatments increase when there is a flu outbreak.    When compared to the CDC's own actual disease tracker, the two graphs mirror each other pretty well, except that Google is reporting in real time, which is 2 weeks ahead of the CDC.  This is pretty useful information for keeping track of flu activity in your area.  Check out the website here.