Investigating Google Trends to forecast acute febrile illness outbreaks in North India reported through the Integrated Disease Surveillance Program

Our study observed modest improvements in GT-based SARIMA forecasting models compared to routine IDSP mechanisms for predicting AFI outbreaks in Haryana, highlighting the potential for further enhancement. As more granular GT data becomes available, its integration with traditional surveillance systems could significantly enhance forecasting accuracy for AFI and other infectious disease outbreaks. At no additional cost to the health system, GT can serve as a valuable, real-time digital epidemiology tool, strengthening public health preparedness and enabling timely interventions for the early containment of emerging diseases.