New Apps: Health: ITU (a UN Organization) Launches “Ebola-Info-Sharing” Mobile Application
From the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), a UN Organization:
ITU has launched a free mobile Application to be used in the campaign against the Ebola disease outbreak.
The “Ebola-Info-Sharing” mobile App facilitates coordination among organizations responding to the Ebola crisis and offers the general public access to the latest Ebola news from official sources, including an interactive map on Ebola.
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The App is currently available for Android mobile devices and will soon be available for iOS devices. It has two main components.
News and Maps
This section, accessible by all users, offers access to the latest official Ebola news. In addition, an interactive map of the Ebola-affected region shows the location of healthcare centres in urban and remote areas and allows users to mark the location of infected people. The map is continuously updated.
Contacts And Interactive Forum
This password-protected feature is designed for use by organizations involved in the Ebola response. It allows them to store and share useful contacts and participate in an interactive forum to discuss and exchange information. Organizations wishing to use the Application should either complete the sign-up form available on the App or send an e-mail to bdt-mobile@itu.int.
The Ebola-Info-Sharing application has been custom-developed to operate using ultra low bandwidth requirements and has a fully functioning offline mode. It is available in English and French.
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A new ITU resolution “Using information and communication technologies to break the chain of health-related emergencies such as Ebola virus transmission” was approved unanimously during the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference held in Busan, Republic of Korea, from 20 October to 7 November 2014. The resolution called for the use of ICTs to facilitate timely exchange of information on health-related emergencies.
In 2015, ITU will deploy a more robust platform for use by the humanitarian community that will take advantage of social media and the big data revolution.
Additional Info (Including News Sources and Screenshots) is Available Here
Download the Android App (via Google Play)
Filed under: Associations and Organizations, Data Files, Maps, News, Patrons and Users
About Gary Price
Gary Price (gprice@gmail.com) is a librarian, writer, consultant, and frequent conference speaker based in the Washington D.C. metro area. He earned his MLIS degree from Wayne State University in Detroit. Price has won several awards including the SLA Innovations in Technology Award and Alumnus of the Year from the Wayne St. University Library and Information Science Program. From 2006-2009 he was Director of Online Information Services at Ask.com.