OSGeo Journal

The Programme Against African Trypanosomiasis30 Information System (PAAT-IS) is hosted by FAO and it produces, collates, stores, analyses, and disseminates information on tsetse, trypanosomiasis and related sustainable agriculture and rural development for the benefit of 37 trypanosomiasis affected countries of sub-Saharan Africa and of international FAO/PAAT partners. In 2006 PAAT-IS began to utilize the infrastructure and functionalities of FAO GeoNetwork to improve the dissemination of PAAT-IS spatial datasets, mainly small scale predictive distribution maps of different tsetse fly species, the vector of the disease. Standardized metadata were created and key GIS datasets made available on the FAO geospatial portal, thus complementing other existing dissemination channels and media (i.e. PAAT web site, CD-ROMs, FAO/PAAT statutory meetings). More recently, GeoNetwork was included in the agenda of PAAT training activities. In this context, selected PAAT partners from affected countries were trained on the basics of GeoNetwork to foster a more effective sharing and documentation of data in the context of ongoing multinational intervention projects. The potential of such a tool in the management of trypanosomiasis and other vectorborne and transboundary animal diseases is briefly discussed and progress and setbacks in its dissemination to PAAT partners in developing countries are outlined. The Programme Against African Trypanosomiasis (PAAT) Tsetse-transmitted trypanosomiasis (also called sleeping sickness in humans) is an infectious disease unique to Africa, caused by various species of trypanosomes. The disease affects both people and animals and occurs in 37 sub-Saharan countries covering more than 9 million km2, an area which corresponds approximately to one-third of Africa’s total 30PAAT is an international, inter-agency alliance aiming at harmonizing and coordinating the activities of the four mandated organizations (AU/IBAR, FAO, IAEA, WHO) in relation to tsetse-trypanosomiasis and related sustainable agriculture and rural development in affected areas of sub-Saharan Africa. (http://www.fao.org/ag/paat.html)