Motorcycles, Cell Phones, and Electricity Can Dramatically Change the Epidemiology of Infectious Disease in Africa

Wednesday, 10th of May 2017

Authors: Jean-Christophe Lagier¹, Cheikh Sokhna¹, Didier Raoult²
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Publisher: The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Source: The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, Volume 96, Issue 5, May 2017, p. 1009 - 1010
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4269/ajtmh.16-0290

Abstract below; full text is at http://www.ajtmh.org/docserver/fulltext/14761645/96/5/1009.pdf?expires=1494412656&id=id&accname=guest&checksum=B525259A82EBF0028BCE5A3981FCBC97

Some observations and recent publications demonstrated, particularly in Africa, the potential influence that low-cost motorcycles, cell phones, and even widespread electrification could have on the evolution of infectious diseases, particularly zoonoses. Our reflections support the conclusion that we should focus on the real-time surveillance systems including alerting systems leading to a rapid and flexible response rather than the strongly limited modeling of infectious diseases because of the continuous evolution of microorganisms, as well as changes in the environment and human habits that are unpredictable.

Received : 14 Apr 2016
Accepted : 23 Dec 2016