EWS-AFROSCREEN: a regional platform for monitoring respiratory diseases in Africa
EWS-AFROSCREEN: a regional platform for monitoring respiratory diseases in Africa
Epidemiological surveillance relies on data collection and analysis, a key element in preventing the spread of disease. On the African continent, several national surveillance platforms exist, such as 4S in Senegal, PlaCARD in Cameroon and REDCap in Madagascar, but they do not cover the entire pan-African region. It was in this context that a group of data scientists from Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Senegal and Madagascar came together to create the innovative EWS-AFROSCREEN (Early Warning System) tool. The aim is to harmonize aggregated data collection protocols for cross-sectional epidemiological monitoring of respiratory diseases in Africa, thanks to a simplified platform.
Dr Cheikh Talla of the Institut Pasteur de Dakar (Senegal), Dr Jules Tchatchueng of the Centre Pasteur du Cameroun and Dr Brice Martial Yambiyo of the Institut Pasteur de Bangui (Central African Republic) have collaborated to set up this EWS-AFROSCREEN tool, which will support the early detection of respiratory diseases and facilitate public health decision-making.
Towards a regional AFROSCREEN platform, essential for monitoring respiratory diseases
The creation of a regional platform for epidemiological data, following the evolution of the AFROSCREEN project, is becoming increasingly essential. As Dr. Yambiyo points out, “National platforms currently exist in some countries, such as Senegal (4S), Cameroon (PlaCARD) and Madagascar (REDCap), but are lacking in others.” Each country participating in AFROSCREEN has its own monitoring indicators, which makes this regional centralization crucial.
“The main objective of this initiative is therefore to harmonize data collection protocols to enable consistent monitoring of respiratory diseases through EWS-AFROSCREEN, a simplified tool. This platform will facilitate the selection of relevant indicators for the project, enable comparative studies between countries, and promote understanding of respiratory diseases and the implementation of appropriate public health measures”, explains Dr. Cheikh Talla. “Moreover, this proactive approach, including the search for pathogen X, will enable early detection of potentially epidemic diseases, thus contributing to the prevention and management of epidemics”, emphasizes Dr. Jules Tchatchueng.
Data sharing and the role of the 4S, PlaCARD and REDCap platforms
“The 4S, PlaCARD and REDCap platforms play a central role in the implementation of the EWS-AFROSCREEN platform”, explains Dr. Cheikh Talla, “They form the basis of the EWS dashboard, and play a role in collecting and centralizing epidemiological data”. He also points out that the process of sharing information from these aggregated databases to the EWS-AFROSCREEN dashboard will take place in real time, enabling the implementation of an early warning system based on real-time data.
Dr. Jules Tchatchueng emphasizes the importance of the frequency of updates, pointing out that “in practice, the frequency of updates will depend on the frequency of data collection. For example, if data is collected daily, monitoring will be carried out on a daily basis, reducing the risk of information being lost at the end of the project.” This approach will enable more reactive management of epidemiological data, strengthening the ability to anticipate and react to changes in the health situation.
The evolution and ambition of the EWS-AFROSCREEN dashboard
“The development of the EWS-AFROSCREEN dashboard testifies to the success of the collaboration between the various member institutions of the AFROSCREEN project within the Pasteur Network”, emphasizes Dr. Jules Tchatchueng. This tool offers future prospects, and could be adapted to the project’s future needs and objectives, thus strengthening its sustainability. Dr. Cheikh Talla anticipates future challenges, including the expansion of skills and the development of resources, notably through training aimed at improving the EWS-AFROSCREEN tool and ensuring its sustainability. At the same time, Dr. Brice Martial Yambiyo envisions the extended reach of the platform, with the possibility of using it in more countries to monitor different pathogens beyond respiratory diseases. In addition, he aspires to make the tool accessible on smartphones, simplifying its use in the field. This prospect testifies to the ongoing commitment to improving respiratory disease surveillance in Africa.
Dr Cheikh Talla of the Institut Pasteur de Dakar (Senegal), Dr Jules Tchatchueng of the Centre Pasteur du Cameroun and Dr Brice Martial Yambiyo of the Institut Pasteur de Bangui (Central African Republic) have collaborated to set up this EWS-AFROSCREEN tool, which will support the early detection of respiratory diseases and facilitate public health decision-making.
Towards a regional AFROSCREEN platform, essential for monitoring respiratory diseases
The creation of a regional platform for epidemiological data, following the evolution of the AFROSCREEN project, is becoming increasingly essential. As Dr. Yambiyo points out, “National platforms currently exist in some countries, such as Senegal (4S), Cameroon (PlaCARD) and Madagascar (REDCap), but are lacking in others.” Each country participating in AFROSCREEN has its own monitoring indicators, which makes this regional centralization crucial.
“The main objective of this initiative is therefore to harmonize data collection protocols to enable consistent monitoring of respiratory diseases through EWS-AFROSCREEN, a simplified tool. This platform will facilitate the selection of relevant indicators for the project, enable comparative studies between countries, and promote understanding of respiratory diseases and the implementation of appropriate public health measures”, explains Dr. Cheikh Talla. “Moreover, this proactive approach, including the search for pathogen X, will enable early detection of potentially epidemic diseases, thus contributing to the prevention and management of epidemics”, emphasizes Dr. Jules Tchatchueng.
Data sharing and the role of the 4S, PlaCARD and REDCap platforms
“The 4S, PlaCARD and REDCap platforms play a central role in the implementation of the EWS-AFROSCREEN platform”, explains Dr. Cheikh Talla, “They form the basis of the EWS dashboard, and play a role in collecting and centralizing epidemiological data”. He also points out that the process of sharing information from these aggregated databases to the EWS-AFROSCREEN dashboard will take place in real time, enabling the implementation of an early warning system based on real-time data.
Dr. Jules Tchatchueng emphasizes the importance of the frequency of updates, pointing out that “in practice, the frequency of updates will depend on the frequency of data collection. For example, if data is collected daily, monitoring will be carried out on a daily basis, reducing the risk of information being lost at the end of the project.” This approach will enable more reactive management of epidemiological data, strengthening the ability to anticipate and react to changes in the health situation.
The evolution and ambition of the EWS-AFROSCREEN dashboard
“The development of the EWS-AFROSCREEN dashboard testifies to the success of the collaboration between the various member institutions of the AFROSCREEN project within the Pasteur Network”, emphasizes Dr. Jules Tchatchueng. This tool offers future prospects, and could be adapted to the project’s future needs and objectives, thus strengthening its sustainability. Dr. Cheikh Talla anticipates future challenges, including the expansion of skills and the development of resources, notably through training aimed at improving the EWS-AFROSCREEN tool and ensuring its sustainability. At the same time, Dr. Brice Martial Yambiyo envisions the extended reach of the platform, with the possibility of using it in more countries to monitor different pathogens beyond respiratory diseases. In addition, he aspires to make the tool accessible on smartphones, simplifying its use in the field. This prospect testifies to the ongoing commitment to improving respiratory disease surveillance in Africa.