Page 14 - fall2017

Citizen Science

UA develops self-reporting app for tracking
mosquito-borne illnesses
by Jeffrey Javier 1

The Kidenga app has been funded
by grants of $200,000 from the Skoll KEEP THE
Foundation and $65,000 from the
Centers for Disease Control and ‘A’ PLATE
Prevention. It launched on the Apple
and Google app stores in September
2016. THE NO.
Ernst says her team is still in the
early phase of the project. In the coming
months, they will promote the app to COLLEGIATE
increase participation, which will help
validate the data. LICENSE PLATE
“Once we have more people using
the app, we can help our health
department and the Centers for IN ARIZONA!
Disease Control partners do their job of
detecting and responding to mosquito-
related outbreaks,” Ernst says.
Heather Venkat, acting state public
health veterinarian for the Arizona State
Department of Public Health, serves in
notification pops up on the an advisory role for the project.
A smartphone screen. She says the Kidenga app is another
It reads: “Report Now – Help Track surveillance method that helps monitor
Zika!”
symptoms of three commonly spread
The Kidenga app opens and asks mosquito-borne viruses: Zika, dengue
what symptoms the user may have and chikungunya.
experienced and whether they noticed Since 2015, there have been more
any mosquitos in the area over the past than 5,400 reported cases of Zika in the
week. The screen shows a map of the
U.S., with a majority of cases occurring
Miami area and whether there are any in travelers returning from affected
confirmed cases of mosquito-borne areas, according to the Centers for
illnesses. Disease Control and Prevention. A Zika
The reporting process takes less infection can cause birth defects and,
than 10 seconds and is completely
though relatively rare, neurological
anonymous. problems that weaken arms and legs.
Behind the scenes, the reported “We are always actively looking for
data is sent to Kacey Ernst, an associate these diseases so that we can respond
professor in the Mel and Enid Zuckerman and deal with them accordingly,” Venkat
College of Public Health, who records
says. “So we work closely with partners
the data and monitors any significant like the University of Arizona because
changes. If she finds growing clusters we need the extra manpower and Buy online!
of related symptoms, Ernst can trigger expertise to help expand our capacity.” servicearizona.com
a closer investigation by local health
department officials.

12 ARIZONA ALUMNI MAGAZINE