Study Published in eLIFE Demonstrates Cross-Border Malaria Connectivity Using Parasite Genetic & Human Mobility Data
Tracking malaria transmission remains a problem to this day. Self-disclosed, patient travel history can be unreliable. With the success of anti-malaria interventions being highly dependent on its epidemiology, understanding parasite transmission is critical in creating targeted interventions that are both cost-efficient and impactful.
By augmenting traditional malaria surveillance methods with parasite genetic data, travel history, and mobile data, the study demonstrated that majority of cases on the Namibian, Angolan, and Zambian borders were due to local transmission. In addition, parasite genetic data proved to be more detailed and extensive in comparison to mobile phone and travel history data--providing evidence and framework for local coordination of intervention efforts to incorporate genetic data to eliminate malaria in this region (Tessema et al.).
Read more about the study here: Using parasite genetic and human mobility data to infer local and cross-border malaria connectivity in Southern Africa
eLIFE also has a podcast featuring Dr. Sofonias Tessema's study--including an interview with Dr. Bryan Greenhouse. Listen more about the study here: