Satellite Observations and Malaria: New Opportunities for Research and Applications

Abstract

Satellite remote sensing provides a wealth of information about environmental factors that influence malaria transmission cycles and human populations at risk. Long-term observations facilitate analysis of climate-malaria relationships, and high-resolution data can be used to assess the effects of agriculture, urbanization, deforestation, and water management on malaria. New sources of very-high-resolution satellite imagery and synthetic aperture radar data will increase the precision and frequency of observations. Cloud computing platforms for remote sensing data combined with analysis-ready datasets and high-level data products have made satellite remote sensing more accessible to nonspecialists. Further collaboration between the malaria and remote sensing communities is needed to develop and implement useful geospatial data products that will support global efforts toward malaria control, elimination, and eradication. Satellite Observations and MalariaSince 2000, considerable progress has been made in reducing the global burden of malaria, shrinking the malaria map, and moving toward the goal of malaria eradication [1-3]. However, there is concern that declines in malaria cases and deaths have slowed [4]. Although the reasons for this slowdown are multifaceted, an important factor is the limited set of tools and approaches that are currently available for combating malaria. The recent Lancet Commission report on malaria eradication emphasized that new technologies, including innovations in the field of malaria informatics, are needed to facilitate more effective datadriven management of malaria interventions [5]. Geospatial data, including satellite observations, were highlighted as a key data source for monitoring human populations and their environments in support of malaria eradication. This recommendation is concordant with other assessments that have emphasized the importance of spatial decision support systems to enable national and subnational program management as well as regional and global strategic planning [6].The value of satellite observations for malaria research has long been recognized, with the earliest reviews appearing more than two decades ago [7-9]. Since then, considerable changes in global antimalaria efforts and advances in the field of remote sensing have taken place. Myriad connections between the environmental phenomena observed by satellite-borne sensors and different aspects of the malaria transmission cycle have been identified (Figure 1). However, the challenges of discovering, accessing, and processing relevant satellite data (Figure 2) still limit their use for malaria projects. The purpose of this review is to present an up-to-date assessment of satellite missions relevant to malaria and identify opportunities where new sources of remote sensing data can be leveraged to support novel applications. Major themes include long-term satellite records of environmental changes that affect malaria risk, new sources of satellite data with higher spatial resolution, measurement frequen...

Spatial distribution of Culex mosquito abundance and associated risk factors in Hanoi, Vietnam

“…Over the past two decades, remote sensing has increasingly involved in mapping mosquitoborne risks and species distribution. Michael et al highlighted that increasingly available earth observation data play a crucial role in the control of vector-borne diseases [62]. In addition, Anna et al indicated that remote sensing-based variables were likely to reduce the over-fitting problems in ecological statistical models [63].…”

Technical Workflow Development for Integrating Drone Surveys and Entomological Sampling to Characterise Aquatic Larval Habitats of Anopheles funestus in Agricultural Landscapes in Côte d’Ivoire

“…Remote sensing data is becoming increasingly accessible as a means to investigate the impact of land-use practices and other landscape characteristics on different aspects of vector ecology [5]. ese Earth Observation (EO) data have different spatial and temporal resolutions depending on the sensor specifications and frequencies of obtaining usable imagery.…”

Remote sensing of environmental risk factors for malaria in different geographic contexts

“…The increasing availability of very-high resolution satellite data and long-term satellite records provides new opportunities for malaria research [ 21 ]. The use of geospatial environmental data to study the risk of diseases, including those transmitted by mosquitoes, has greatly expanded in recent decades [ 22 , 23 ].…”

“…Satellite imagery enables the continuous monitoring of environmental conditions over large areas. The large number of available sensors allows us to measure a wide range of environmental factors that influence malaria receptivity, including meteorological factors such as temperature, humidity, and precipitation as well as landscape features related to land use, vegetation, surface water, and terrain [ 21 ]. Long-term records from moderate resolution sensors such as MODIS (1 km spatial resolution) have been used to study the influences of climate variation on seasonal and interannual variations in malaria [ 24 , 25 ].…”