Cell phones for tracking outbreaks
October 20, 2006 by Grace Ibay
Filed under Diseases & Conditions
A new software in your mobile phone can help track the spread of diseases.
In the near future, field workers and doctors may send information through a central database about an occuring outbreak, patient status, drug inventory levels and also receive information such as alerts, treatment guidelines or lab test results.
All through the cell phone. How cool is that?
The software program sends data through the general packet radio service (GPRS) network, and if this is unavailable, it can divert to an SMS data channel, normally used for text messages. It’s flexible enough to work across different handsets and operators because it uses the java language.
Trials of the relatively low-cost application are underway in Rwanda, Africa and in Indonesia. The project is a collaboration between technology firm Voxiva and the trade association for mobile operators, GSMA.
[Source: BBC] Thanks, Hsien for the tip.
Tags: cell phones, flu outbreaks, general packet radio service (GPRS) network
