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. 2015 Jun 26;10(6):e0131000.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0131000. eCollection 2015.

Innovative Technological Approach to Ebola Virus Disease Outbreak Response in Nigeria Using the Open Data Kit and Form Hub Technology

Daniel Tom-Aba  1 , Adeniyi Olaleye  2 , Adebola Tolulope Olayinka  3 , Patrick Nguku  4 , Ndadilnasiya Waziri  4 , Peter Adewuyi  4 , Olawunmi Adeoye  4 , Saliu Oladele  5 , Aderonke Adeseye  6 , Olukayode Oguntimehin  7 , Faisal Shuaib  8
Affiliations

Innovative Technological Approach to Ebola Virus Disease Outbreak Response in Nigeria Using the Open Data Kit and Form Hub Technology

Daniel Tom-Aba et al. PLoS One. .

Abstract

The recent outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in West Africa has ravaged many lives. Effective containment of this outbreak relies on prompt and effective coordination and communication across various interventions; early detection and response being critical to successful control. The use of information and communications technology (ICT) in active surveillance has proved to be effective but its use in Ebola outbreak response has been limited. Due to the need for timeliness in reporting and communication for early discovery of new EVD cases and promptness in response; it became imperative to empower the response team members with technologies and solutions which would enable smooth and rapid data flow. The Open Data Kit and Form Hub technology were used in combination with the Dashboard technology and ArcGIS mapping for follow up of contacts, identification of cases, case investigation and management and also for strategic planning during the response. A remarkable improvement was recorded in the reporting of daily follow-up of contacts after the deployment of the integrated real time technology. The turnaround time between identification of symptomatic contacts and evacuation to the isolation facility and also for receipt of laboratory results was reduced and informed decisions could be taken by all concerned. Accountability in contact tracing was ensured by the use of a GPS enabled device. The use of innovative technologies in the response of the EVD outbreak in Nigeria contributed significantly to the prompt control of the outbreak and containment of the disease by providing a valuable platform for early warning and guiding early actions.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. Screen shot of ODK collect App on mobile phones and ehealth follow up Ebola sense.
Fig 2
Fig 2. Screen shot of Form Hub page.
Fig 3
Fig 3. Screen shot of web dashboard built with python and git hub using PLSQL Database.
Fig 4
Fig 4. Trend of contact follow-up before and after deployment of Mobile application.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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