Research approaches

To downscale global climate models to the Maasai Steppe and predict current and future localised hotspots of infection

To use land cover models to describe recent and predict future changes that influence the spatial variation in vector abundance and distribution, incorporate host availability and compare the spatial overlap with the climate models

To trap tsetse flies on a monthly basis and use molecular techniques to identify species of trypanosome

To identify the opinion leaders and technology adopters in the Maasai community and then work with them to develop an ecohealth partnership on disease control that will reduce the impact of vector borne infections

• Modeling temperature and precipitation patterns in East Africa

• Modeling land-use and land cover

• Vector distribution and infection prevalence measurements

• Vector density and location predictions

• Collecting confidential data on the views and responses of Maasai people to VBDs

• Working with Maasai communities to raise awareness of risks, and develop adaptive strategies