Satellites and GPS track disease in Animals and people
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Veterinarians and researchers in Ethiopia and beyond are increasingly using satellite imagery, GPS tracking, and geographic information systems to monitor and predict animal disease outbreaks.
Woldia University researchers Assaye Wollelie Fentie and Daniel Haile Asefa reviewed how these technologies are being applied to veterinary medicine, noting both successes and ongoing challenges. These tools allow experts to map disease spread, analyze environmental factors that encourage it, and track animal movements to identify high-risk areas.
GIS platforms combine disease reports with data on livestock density and environmental conditions. GPS collars help track herds and pinpoint outbreaks, while remote sensing measures factors like rainfall and vegetation cover that influence where diseases thrive. In East Africa, GIS mapping of Rift Valley fever guided vaccination efforts, and in southern Africa, remotely sensed data predicted tick distribution. The technologies also extend to wildlife and zoonotic diseases, those that can jump from animals to humans.
GPS collars on wild animals reveal overlaps with livestock, helping anticipate disease spillover. Though these tools offer significant benefits, challenges remain. Fewer than 20 percent of veterinary institutions in Ethiopia currently use GIS routinely, and factors like cloud cover and data quality can limit effectiveness. The authors advocate for open-source platforms, international collaboration, and long-term investment to integrate geospatial technologies into veterinary medicine globally.
