Centre for Schistosomiasis and Parasitology

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GPS tracking and schistosomiasis

As part of the SHIS-CAM project, the CSP, in collaboration with the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM), implemented an innovative GPS-based livestock tracking study under the leadership of Professor Russell Stothard. Selected cattle were fitted with lightweight solar GPS ear tags to monitor their movements across grazing areas and water contact sites.

This approach provides high-resolution spatiotemporal data on livestock mobility, enabling researchers to identify where and when cattle are most likely to meet freshwater habitats that may harbor schistosome-transmitting snails. The GPS devices continuously record the animals’ movements over extended periods without disrupting their normal daily activities.

 

By integrating GPS tracking data with parasitological findings, malacological surveys, and environmental information, the research team can better understand the ecological drivers of Schistosoma bovis transmission. These integrated datasets help identify transmission hotspots, improve disease risk mapping, and provide evidence to support targeted One Health surveillance and control strategies.p>

 

 

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