Tracking parasites with satellites »

Scientists are teaming up to use satellite data to target deadly parasites to help predict patterns of parasitic diseases such as malaria, worms and hydatids. Project leader Professor Archie Clements, from The Australian National University, said the research could help authorities in developing countries fight parasitic diseases. "Some diseases are highly sensitive to their environment, especially parasitic diseases. With remote sensing you can identify places where disease flourishes," said Professor Clements, Director of the Research School of Population Health. "This information is useful for decision makers to help them ensure scarce resources are targeted to where they are most needed." Parasitic diseases affect hundreds of millions of people every year, many of them in the least developed parts of the world. The team uses satellite data such as temperature, rainfall, vegetation and land usage, and combines it with health data in a geographical information system (GIS). The approach combines the skills of many scientists, such as entomologists, epidemiologists, software developers, social scientists and health policy specialists.