Strengthening Africa’s Early Warning Systems: Launch of the Rift Valley Fever Decision Support Tool
17 November marks a major milestone for Africa’s preparedness against transboundary and zoonotic diseases. FAO and AU-IBAR, together with regional and national partners, launched the Rift Valley Fever Decision Support Tool (RVF-DST)a cutting-edge digital platform that transforms the continent’s ability to anticipate, prevent, and respond to Rift Valley Fever (RVF) outbreaks.
This new tool integrates real-time climate data, ecological modelling, livestock movement patterns, and field surveillance to generate actionable early warning signals weeks even months in advance.
Speaking on behalf of the African Union Commission, AU-IBAR Director Dr Huyam Salih emphasized that RVF is no longer a sporadic threat it is a growing One Health challenge with implications for livestock production, human health, regional trade, and food security across Africa.
“Africa cannot afford a wait-and-see approach. We must shift from reacting to crises to anticipating risks. Early warning must go hand-in-hand with early action, early financing, and coordinated regional preparedness.”
She reaffirmed AU-IBAR’s commitment to working through GF-TADs for Africa, Regional Economic Communities, and national One Health platforms to scale up the use of the tool across the continent.
The FAO Deputy Director General and Regional Representative for Africa Assistant Director-General for Africa Dr Thanawat Tiensin underlined the importance of innovation:
“This tool is a powerful example of how digital solutions, scientific forecasting, and One Health collaboration can save lives, protect livelihoods, and strengthen Africa’s resilience.”
He noted that recent RVF outbreaks in West Africa demonstrate the urgency of moving from reactive emergency response to predictive analytics and proactive decision-making.
He highlighted the power of digital innovation: Africa is entering a new era where digital solutions are not optional they are essential. Investing in data, innovation, and One Health collaboration is now critical to stay ahead of emerging disease risks and build a safer, more resilient future for all.
The RVF-DST marks a major step forward in:
- Early warning & early action
- Data-driven decision making
- Strengthened One Health coordination
- Protecting farmers, pastoralists, and communities
- Building a more resilient and food-secure Africa
This is digital disease intelligence at its best and a strong demonstration of what African leadership and global partnership can achieve together.