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December 06, 2006
The Malaria Map Project in Google Earth
Researchers from Kenya and the UK have been conducting a project to map cases of the mosquito borne parasite which causes the disease known as malaria. According to ScienceDaily.com, it has been almost 40 years since the first comprehensive map of malaria risk had been created. Check out the web site for the malaria atlas project (MAP - cute acronym) for more details (including methods of collecting data). The project has published two Google Earth files for two different variants of malaria: Plasmodium falciparum 
, or Plasmodium vivax . The GE files contain placemarks of the data and they are colored according to how recent the cases were reported. Most recent cases (2001-2006) are colored red, oldest cases are colored green (1984-1990).
This is important data and Google Earth is an excellent way of presenting it. They should take some tips from the Avian Flu outbreak tracker created by Declan Butler from Nature Magazine. The malaria atlas project should put some links back to their web site in the KMZ files and provide some basic information in their placemarks. They also should create a network link so they can update the data without having to republish. But, this is a great first effort, and important resource.
Posted by FrankTaylor at December 6, 2006 08:09 AM
Comments
Posted by: Joe at January 15, 2007 01:17 AM
A helpful tool for world travelers; a tragic problem where solutions are hard to come by.
Posted by: Bob at January 15, 2008 05:17 PM
Hi i like this map. I wanted to let your viewers know about a cd that is going to help save people's lives.. It's called Save My Soul - Music to Prevent Malaria... I'm trying to get some attention for this album because for every cd we sell, we're going to distribute a mosquito net in Africa to help fight malaria. Another organization has pledge to match the amount of nets we donate, so please check out the site... http://www.savemysoulcd.com
Posted by: ed lyman at January 28, 2008 07:16 AM
Change seems to be contagious these days. The same holds true for 10-year-old spoken word artist Nene Ali who is utilizing her God-given talents to raise both money and awareness for the people of Katanga to help reduce and rid Malaria in that region.
On Saturday June 28, 2008 at 6:00pm, Miss Ali has organized a benefit/spoken word event in celebration of Black Music Month called “Netting Change through Spoken Word”. Headlined by Ne Ne Ali, the event will be held at Middle School 142, John Philip Sousa, 3750 Baychester Avenue, Bronx, New York. Advance tickets are $7.00 and $9.00 at the door. Portion of the proceeds will go directly to the Nothing But Nets campaign to benefit the Province of Katanga located within the Democratic Republic of the Congo www.nothingbutnets.net. The evening will also feature a special guest performance by renowned band, The Earthman Experience featuring DJ Hard Hittin Harry, a dynamic Afrobeat/World Music collective consisting of spectacular African drumming, Haitian-Creole lyrics/chanting, violin, complimented by a LIVE DJ.
Statistics show that every 30 seconds a child in Africa dies due to Malaria, however, the disease is preventable. “My quest is to save 5,000 families from this dreadful disease,” said Ne Ne Ali. “Africa is too rich to be so poor. It’s only right that I use my talent towards humanitarian efforts because it’s not mine…it’s God’s gift and he can take it back from me anytime he wants.”
Nene Ali has performed at the Apollo, BAM café, BET Rap City, Nuyorican Poet’s Café, Philadelphia Arts Garage, and has dazzled City and State Officials in the New York tri-state area receiving nothing less than a standing ovation when she performs. She is also scheduled to visit the Katanga region to perform for the children in February 2009.
For Ticket information, Press Pass, or donations please contact Kevin @ (614) 638-9113 or via e-mail: thekendiagroup@gmail.com.
Feel free to visit the Ne Ne Ali MySpace page at www.myspace.com/neneali.
Posted by: Ne Ne Ali - 10yr old Poetic MC at June 13, 2008 11:58 PM
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Well, for some other interesting malaria developments check out this
blog...
http://www.spiritualityhealth.com/NMagazine/community/blog.php