Malaria Surveillance

ARGOS

The name originates from Greek Mythology. The demi- god Argos, with his hundred eyes, permanently kept watch over the flocks of the god Zeus.  ARGOS is a system originally developed by CLS (a non profit section of the French Space Agency) to collect data, and relay this by satellite to moitor environmental changes, migration of animals and birds and movement of sea buyoys and fishing vessels.  This technology has recently been adapted for field use in the form of a robust metal data collection station the size of a domestic letter box, runnin on a long life battery (two years or longer), and is the price of a basic lap-top computer.  ARGOS has been used since 2004 by the World Food Program (WFP) to collect information on their school feeding programs in developing countries.  MENTOR in partnership with CLS have adapted the ARGOS technology specifically for improved malaria surveillance with the aim of reducing the delays in responding to epidemics and improve support for remote endemic areas through combining robust cutting edge technology with practical country support.

The ARGOS platform has been adapted to collect malaria specific data.  A full screen design has been developed using only malaria related icons.  Without language these ARGOS units can be used in any country without the need for individual programme translation and development.  It is thus easier to train facility staff whose task it is to relay data weekly, or daily, in the event of an epidemic.

This information is sent by satellite to a central computer where it is automatically analysed and displayed on a secure website where key decisionmakers in the country, such as the Ministry of Health, have dedicated and security controlled access to the data.

This empowers the central decision-makers to monitor the malaria situation in the event of an outbreak, and those health facilities who are reporting to monitor their malaria stock capacity.  This valuable information is disseminated around the country within hours of the weekly reports being transmitted via the ARGOS technology.  The information viewed is in a fully analysed format allowing immediate comparison of surveillance data over time and between various sentinel sites within the country.