New Computer System Helps Slash Cholera Cases in Yemen By Predicting Where Outbreaks Will Occur (bbc.co.uk)

Cholera cases in Yemen have been slashed by a new system that predicts where outbreaks will occur. From a report: Last year, there were more than 50,000 new cases in just one week -- this year, the numbers plummeted to about 2,500. The system has enabled aid workers to focus efforts on prevention several weeks in advance of an outbreak -- by monitoring rainfall. It comes as the UN says it is concerned about a possible "third wave" of the epidemic. The deployment of the technology has been coordinated by the UK's Department for International Development. [...] The UK's overseas aid department has worked with the Met Office to develop a system that predicts where cholera will occur four weeks ahead of time.

The Met Office produces a rainfall forecast for Yemen. Using its supercomputers, it is to determine the specific amount of rain that will fall and pinpoint the areas it will hit within a 10km (six-mile) radius. These are important because downpours overwhelm the sewerage system and spread the infection. The forecasts are used in conjunction with a computer model developed by Prof Rita Colwell, at the University of Maryland, and Dr Antar Jutla, at West Virginia University. Together, this information enables scientists to predict the areas most likely to experience an outbreak, up to four weeks in advance.

Comments

Prevention

[manu0601]

A cheap way to prevent many problems in Yemen would be to stop bombing it.

You know what else would slash Cholera

[rsilvergun]

ending the blockade. You know, the one by the Saudis being done with the weapons we sold them...

Maybe they should do something about the sewers

[mveloso]

It seems that while this is a pretty good band-aid, a better solution would be to fix the sewer system for the new peaks.

Re:Maybe they should do something about the sewers

[youngone]

You should be aware that right now the Saudis are bombing Yemen into the stone age because they want a government that the Saudis don't like.
The Saudis are using weapons the US sold them. (Also France and the UK).
There is no point fixing the sewers.

Re:uhm, the cause is the war.

[youngone]

...having your country bombed to shit by a hostile dictatorship with the backing of the US government...

Holy shit that's not even debatable, it's just a plain fact, and the comment gets modded Troll?

You lot are all wankers. You're too shitty to even log in so you can be identified.

Re:These are important because downpours overwhelm

[rtb61]

No the Yemeni hospitals in the defined zone are targeted by US satellites for the Saudi's to blow up with US and UK arms and munitions as a way to guarantee, really pissed of Yemeni will keep that war going pretty much for ever. If the is a war, the USA will be there, selling the tools of their apparently preferred trade, which takes precedence of infrastructure, education, health, even you lives. Think they will blame those cholera deaths on God, oh no, 100% Saudi and USA fault and nearly every family suffers in part, making that fury nationwide.