Using smartphone technology to improve global rabies control and tracking
RFA-CK-22-002, Adaptation and assessment of smartphone technology to improve the implementation and evaluation of One Health systems for rabies control and surveillance globally
This project aims to use smartphone technology to help communities in Africa and Asia better control and track rabies, a deadly disease spread by dog bites.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Mission Rabies USA, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11219680 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Rabies is a very serious disease that almost always leads to death once symptoms appear, especially in children and vulnerable communities in Africa and Asia. While rabies can be prevented through timely treatment after a bite and by vaccinating dogs, many people still die because public health services and education are hard to access. This project plans to use smartphones and online tools to improve how information about rabies cases and dog populations is collected and shared. Better data will help health programs make smarter decisions to prevent rabies and save lives.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This project focuses on improving public health systems, so it would indirectly benefit communities and individuals living in areas with high rabies risk, particularly in low- to middle-income countries.
Not a fit: Patients not living in regions affected by canine rabies or those seeking direct clinical treatment for rabies would not directly benefit from this public health systems improvement project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could significantly reduce human deaths from rabies by improving prevention efforts and ensuring more people receive life-saving treatment.
How similar studies have performed: Mass vaccination of dog populations has already proven to be an achievable and cost-effective way to eliminate rabies, and smartphone technologies have successfully transformed data collection in other public health areas.
Where this research is happening
Houston, UNITED STATES
- Mission Rabies USA, INC. — Houston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gamble, Luke — Mission Rabies USA, INC.
- Study coordinator: Gamble, Luke
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.