Bugwatch Medical Disclaimer

Last updated: [s1/04/2026]

Bugwatch is a public‑health intelligence platform designed to help communities understand patterns of infectious illness. It is not a medical service. The information provided by Bugwatch is for general information only and must not be used to make decisions about your health.

1. No Medical Advice

Bugwatch does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

The information on this website:

• is not a substitute for professional medical advice
• should not be relied upon to diagnose or rule out any condition
• should not be used to decide whether to seek medical care
• is not tailored to your personal health circumstances

Always seek advice from a qualified healthcare professional if you are unwell, unsure about your symptoms, or concerned about your health.

2. Not a Medical Device

Bugwatch is not a medical device and is not intended for:

• diagnosis
• prevention
• monitoring
• prediction
• prognosis
• treatment
• clinical decision‑making

Bugwatch is a population‑level surveillance tool, not a clinical tool.

3. No Clinical Oversight

No clinician reviews or monitors individual symptom reports submitted to Bugwatch.

Bugwatch:

• does not provide triage
• does not offer clinical assessment
• does not respond to individual health concerns
• does not monitor submissions in real time

If you need medical advice, please contact a healthcare professional.

4. Emergency and Red‑Flag Symptoms

Bugwatch cannot detect emergencies or respond to urgent medical needs.

If you report symptoms that may indicate a medical emergency, Bugwatch may display a safety message, but:

• your report is not reviewed by a clinician
• your report is not monitored
• your report is not added to the heatmap
• Bugwatch cannot contact you

If you think you may be experiencing a medical emergency, seek immediate medical help.

5. Heatmap and Trend Information

The Bugwatch heatmap and trend data:

• reflect aggregated, anonymous symptom reports
• do not indicate the cause of any individual’s symptoms
• do not confirm the presence or absence of any infection
• should not be used to self‑diagnose

Population‑level trends cannot be used to determine your personal health status.

6. No User Identification or Follow‑Up

Bugwatch does not collect identifiable information and cannot:

• identify you
• contact you
• follow up on your symptoms
• provide personalised advice

If you need medical support, please contact a healthcare professional directly.

7. Accuracy of Information

Bugwatch aims to provide accurate, up‑to‑date public‑health information, but:

• data may be incomplete or delayed
• symptom reports are self‑reported and may contain inaccuracies
• trends may change rapidly
• no guarantee is made regarding completeness or reliability

Bugwatch should be used as a general indicator, not a clinical source.

8. Your Responsibility

By using Bugwatch, you acknowledge that:

• you are responsible for your own health decisions
• Bugwatch does not replace professional medical advice
• you will seek appropriate medical care when needed