A thesis on Rift Valley Fever in Senegal proposes a decision support system to better manage health risks

Fanta Bouba from Gaston Berger University of Saint-Louis has developed a decision support system for managing Rift Valley Fever (RVF) in Senegal, aiming to integrate health and environmental data. This research, supported by IRD, highlights the interactions between climate and health in at-risk areas such as the Senegal River valley.

Rift Valley Fever (RVF) is a viral disease that affects animals and humans, particularly in tropical regions like Senegal. Fanta Bouba's research, conducted in collaboration with IRD, is part of the QWECI project, which aims to quantify the climate impacts on health. At-risk areas, such as the Senegal River valley, require special attention to understand the dynamics of disease spread.

By using advanced data mining techniques and multidimensional modeling, the study has built a sophisticated data warehouse. This system analyzes the spatio-temporal interactions between environmental factors and RVF vectors, particularly mosquitoes. The results reveal the importance of an integrated information system to better manage the risk of the disease.

The implications of this research are significant for public health policymakers. The development of a decision support system could improve health risk management in West Africa. Investors are encouraged to support initiatives that promote data integration and inter-institutional cooperation to address the challenges posed by vector-borne diseases.

« « Our research demonstrates that the integration of health and environmental data is essential for anticipating and managing the risks associated with Rift Valley Fever in Senegal, » says Fanta Bouba. »

« « Access to decision support systems on public health is crucial for policymakers in West Africa, allowing for better management of epidemics, » emphasizes the Lektaris team. »