Climate and Satellite Indicators to Forecast Rift Valley Fever Epidemics in Kenya

Abstract

All known Rift Valley fever virus outbreaks in East Africa from 1950 to May 1998, and probably earlier, followed periods of abnormally high rainfall. Analysis of this record and Pacific and Indian Ocean sea surface temperature anomalies, coupled with satellite normalized difference vegetation index data, shows that prediction of Rift Valley fever outbreaks may be made up to 5 months in advance of outbreaks in East Africa. Concurrent near–real-time monitoring with satellite normalized difference vegetation data may identify actual affected areas.

Document Details

Document Type
Pub Defense Publication
Publication Date
Jul 16, 1999
Source ID
10.1126/science.285.5426.397

Entities

People

  • Assaf Anyamba
  • Clarence J. Peters
  • Compton J. Tucker
  • Kenneth J. Linthicum
  • Monica F. Myers
  • Patrick W. Kelley

Organizations

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  • Goddard Space Flight Center
  • United States Department of Defense

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Environmental science

Readers

  • Infectious Disease/Epidemiology
  • Oceanography.
  • Wetland-Land-Environmental Management.

Technology Areas

  • Space