Satellites can help predict malaria outbreaks

Satellites can help predict malaria outbreaks Today’s Video of the Day comes from NASA Goddard and features a look at how satellites can help predict malaria outbreaks.  Microscopic diagnosis is relatively resource intensive, requiring trained personnel, specific equipment, electricity, and a consistent supply of microscopy slides and stains

90% of all malaria cases in the Western Hemisphere occur in the Amazon. According to recent data, over the past five years, reported cases of malaria in Brazil have been decreasing, while cases in Per have been increasing. But now, NASA scientists are using satellite data to map the environmental conditions in which an outbreak is most likely to occur. The patterns observed can be useful in predicting future outbreaks to help preparation and prevention.

Also there is a potential dormant period in the liver, these organisms differentiate to yield thousands of merozoites, which, following rupture of their host cells, escape into the blood and infect red blood cells to begin the erythrocytic stage of the life cycle. After a period of dormancy, they reactivate and produce merozoites. 

However they give considerably less information than microscopy, and sometimes vary in quality from producer to producer and lot to lot. 

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By Rory Arnold, Earth.com

Video Credit: NASA Goddard