QUESTIONS / ANSWERS
Clear answers, with their limits intact.
First, how to read the data. Then, what it cannot tell you.
Is this an official surveillance system?
No. Plague Map is an independent public-information project using public sources and is not affiliated with WHO, CDC or any government.
Are map points patient locations?
No. They are approximate public-report locations with a precision note; individual addresses and movements are not shown.
Does N/A mean zero cases?
No. N/A means the value was not reported, cannot be verified or cannot be calculated under the current definition.
Does a natural focus mean a human outbreak is active?
No. A natural focus indicates long-term circulation among animal hosts and vectors and is not counted as human cases.
Why separate event phase and confirmation?
“Monitoring” describes an event phase; “suspected” describes evidentiary confirmation. They answer different questions.
How often is the data updated?
Editors review records according to source importance. Every event shows its data-through and editorial-review dates; this demo is not real-time.
May I cite these figures?
Yes, but also open and cite the original sources on the event page and retain the data date and definition.
How do I report an error?
Use the corrections page with the URL, suspected error and supporting source. Material changes enter the public revision record.