New Project Tracks Viruses to Help Improve Community Health
26 May 2026
The project, called Ecologic Health Outcome Monitoring Environment Reporting (E-HOMER), is led by the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute. Its respiratory monitoring program, known as SnotWatch, tracks viruses using PCR test results from hospitals and the community in near real-time.
Researchers combine virus testing data with health information to study how common viruses may be linked to other illnesses. Early findings showed that influenza and RSV can be connected to febrile seizures in children, highlighting another important benefit of vaccination.
Dr Aaron Weinman from MCRI said the project is helping uncover health effects linked to virus circulation that were not fully understood before.
SnotWatch also studies links between viruses and conditions such as asthma, hepatitis, Kawasaki disease, heart attacks, and bacterial infections.
The project aims to support GPs by providing easy-to-read dashboards, local virus alerts, and trend updates. Researchers say this information can help doctors prepare for seasonal outbreaks, guide patient conversations, and improve antibiotic stewardship by identifying illnesses that are likely caused by viruses rather than bacteria.
The team is also developing online tools for patients and healthcare providers to better understand which viruses are circulating in their local area and what symptoms to expect.
For more information, GPs can contact the SnotWatch team at snotwatch@mcri.edu.au.
New Project Tracks Viruses to Help Improve Community Health