ARS | Publication request: A Rift Valley fever risk surveillance system for Africa using remotely sensed data: Potential for use on other continents

Submitted to: Veterinaria Italiana
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: June 1, 2007
Publication Date: July 1, 2007
Citation: Linthicum, K., Anyamba, A., Britch, S.C., Chretien, J., Erickson, R.L., Small, J., Tucker, C.J., Bennett, K.E., Mayer, R.T., Schmidtmann, E.T., Andreadis, T.G., Anderson, J.F., Wilson, W.C., Freier, J., James, A., Miller, R., Drolet, B.S., Miller, S., Tedrow, C., Bailey, C., Strickman, D.A., Barnard, D.R., Clark, G.G., Zou, L. 2007. A Rift Valley fever Risk Surveillance System for Africa Using Remotely Sensed Data: Potential for use on Other Continents. Veterinaria Italiana 43(3): 663-674.

Interpretive Summary: Rift Valley fever is a viral disease of domestic animals and people in much of sub-Saharan Africa; however, it has spread to new geographic areas outside the African continent recently. We have developed a monitoring and risk mapping system using data obtained form polar-orbiting National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration satellites to forecast the likelihood of Rift Valley fever virus activity in Africa. This system is an important tool for local, national and international organizations which are involved in the prevention and control of animal and human disease, permitting focused and timely implementation of disease control strategies before an outbreak occurs. Efforts are being made to start formulating plans to establish a similar forecasting system for mosquitoes in the U.S. which can potentially transmit the disease.

Technical Abstract: Rift Valley fever (RVF) is a mosquito-borne viral disease with pronounced health and economic impacts to domestic animals and humans in much of sub-Saharan Africa. Epizootics and epidemics of RVF are closely linked to the occurrence of the warm phase of the El Niño/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phenomenon. We have developed a monitoring and risk mapping system using normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) times series data derived from the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) instrument on polar orbiting National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) satellites to map areas with a potential for an RVF outbreak in sub-Saharan Africa. This system is an important tool for local, national and international organizations involved in the prevention and control of animal and human disease, permitting focused and timely implementation of disease control strategies several months before an outbreak. A GIS/remotely sensed early warning system for potential RVF vectors in the U.S. and elsewhere is being developed. Mosquito forecasting information will be disseminated throughout the U.S., granting several months warning before conditions are suitable for elevated mosquito populations, permitting targeted implementation of mosquito control, animal quarantine and vaccine strategies in time to lessen or prevent animal and human disease.