The ever-increasing cases at national and European level of West Nile Virus (WNV) infections in humans and animals has been a field of research and action by public health bodies in recent years. It is estimated, according to the World Health Organization, that internationally 1 in 5 people infected with the virus will have mild symptoms (e.g. fever), while 1 in 150 people will become seriously ill (symptoms of encephalitis & paralysis).
In Greece, the first cases of West Nile Virus (WNV) were detected in humans in August 2010, and since then there has been an increase in cases in humans and animals. Notable is the recording of 307 cases in 2018, of which 42 were deaths. At national level, the regions of the country have been tasked with the important work of controlling mosquitoes, based on the annual results of few entomological observations (e.g. ornithological, entomological).
The project “Advanced Earth Observation and Informatics Technologies for Early Study and Warning of Mosquito-Transmitted Diseases” (EMPROS) is a complete system of high standards utilizing heterogeneous data (satellite, epidemiological, entomological and ornithological) and collections (ensemble) of dynamic and statistical models for the purpose of systematically recording & retrieving important standardized information that will contribute to the early warning and risk assessment of WNV.
The main objective of EMPROS is to be a valuable tool in decision-making centers, contributing to the strategic planning of actions in terms of prevention and treatment of the risk of infection by WNV.
The general, scientific, technological and commercial objectives of the project are:
1) The strengthening of surveillance and response to WNV with innovative services / analyses / models.
2) Improving the treatment via blood vigilance (haemovigilance).
3) Improving response time and surveillance of mosquitos with guided control measures.
4) The production / distribution of binding data from European directives.
5) The sensitization of the actors at national level for the danger of WNV and its dynamics of spread.
1) The creation of permanent observation from the collection, analysis and standardization of heterogeneous data.
2) The development of new tendencies detection models through data and case history analysis.
3) The optimization of location positioning and installation of biological material collection traps.
4) The development of early warning with a combined use of heterogeneous models.
1) Online import, search, retrieval of heterogeneous data & results.
2) The automation & optimization of processes for creating / updating epidemiological results (forecasting, early warning).
3) The optimization of the use of big & heterogeneous data management technologies (Data Cubes).
1) The optimization of the management of completed transmitter control projects.
2) The reduction of costs – installation time of traps.
3) The promotion / penetration of the system in other countries.
4) The commercialization of the system through demonstration of pilot results.