Infections in Cyprus under surveillance. PNOE project launched.

Infections in Cyprus are to be better monitored through weekly reporting by residents. European University Cyprus has launched the PNOE project, in which adult volunteers report by phone whether they have had symptoms in the past seven days. Participation is also open to individuals who are healthy.

The study aims to expand the picture of respiratory infections by including individuals who manage their illness at home and do not visit a doctor. Participation is voluntary and free, and the survey will take approximately one minute per week. Reporting symptoms does not constitute a diagnosis of influenza, COVID-19, or RSV.

Infections in Cyprus - even outside doctors' offices

Fever, cough, or runny nose don't always lead to a visit to the clinic. People with mild symptoms often stay home, which means their illnesses may not be reflected in the data from clinics.

PNOE aims to help bridge this gap. The project is led by Dr. Theodoros Lytras, a public health specialist at the Faculty of Medicine at European University Cyprus. The university announced the launch of the initiative on November 2, 2026.

The answers of healthy people are also important

Participants are asked to report their condition weekly, not just during illness. Information about the absence of symptoms allows for the correlation of illness reports with the number of people responding to the survey.

Those who report illness will be asked for additional details. Participants are also expected to update their health and vaccination history annually.

The system can help track changes in infection activity over time and across regions. However, it doesn't automatically count all cases on the island. The number of volunteers, the consistency of responses, and how well the participant group reflects the Cypriot population will be crucial.

Symptoms do not confirm a specific virus

PNOE focuses on monitoring respiratory illnesses, including influenza, COVID-19, and RSV. However, similar symptoms may occur with different infections.

Without appropriate testing, simply reporting a cough or fever doesn't allow for the diagnosis of a specific virus. The survey is intended to analyze trends and does not replace a medical consultation.

Researchers also want to investigate factors associated with disease incidence, the effectiveness of vaccinations in the community, and the persistence of symptoms in the weeks following the initial illness. These are the study's objectives, not the results already announced.

What do the organizers declare regarding data?

According to the university's official statement, the app is designed to keep responses anonymous. Researchers are not supposed to know the participants' identities or email addresses.

The organizers also guarantee that data will not be sold or shared with third parties. Participants may opt out of the study, and their data will be immediately deleted.

The project has received approval from the Cyprus National Bioethics Commission. Before registering, please read the full participant information and consent policy available during registration.

The results are to be public

Collective results will be published on an open online platform, updated at least weekly. Periodic reports and scientific publications have also been announced.

Results will begin to be shared once a sufficient number of volunteers have been recruited. No specific date for the first report or required number of participants has been announced.

The invitation to participate is open to adult residents of Cyprus, so it is not limited to those with Cypriot citizenship. Poles living on the island are also welcome. However, the verified announcement did not specify a Polish language version of the application or survey.