Mobile phone-based infectious disease surveillance system, Sri Lanka

Abstract

Because many infectious diseases are emerging in animals in low-income and middle-income countries, surveillance of animal health in these areas may be needed for forecasting disease risks to humans. We present an overview of a mobile phone-based frontline surveillance system developed and implemented in Sri Lanka. Field veterinarians reported animal health information by using mobile phones. Submissions increased steadily over 9 months, with ≈4,000 interactions between field veterinarians and reports on the animal population received by the system. Development of human resources and increased communication between local stakeholders (groups and persons whose actions are affected by emerging infectious diseases and animal health) were instrumental for successful implementation. The primary lesson learned was that mobile phone-based surveillance of animal populations is acceptable and feasible in lower-resource settings. However, any system implementation plan must consider the time needed to garner support for novel surveillance methods among users and stakeholders.

Figure 1

Study districts in Sri Lanka where field veterinarians participated in the Infectious Disease Surveillance and Analysis System and obtained data on animal health during their daily work activities. Study districts are indicated by red outlines; provincial boundaries are indicated in gray, and district boundaries are indicated in black.

Figure 2

Schematic overview of major components of the Infectious Disease Surveillance and Analysis System, Sri Lanka. GPS, global positioning system; stakeholders, groups and persons (field veterinarians, administrators, and researchers) whose decision-making and actions are affected by emerging infectious diseases and animal health.

Figure 3

Number of survey (black line), global positioning system (red line), and linked survey–global positioning system (blue line) submissions to the Infectious Disease Surveillance and Analysis System, by week, Sri Lanka, January 1–September 30, 2009.

Figure 4

Frequency of syndrome groups seen by field veterinarians in cattle (A), buffalo (B), and chickens (C) in 4 study districts as part of the Infectious Disease Surveillance and Analysis System, Sri Lanka, January 1–September 30, 2009.