WHO taps anonymized mobile data to predict Ebola spread in eastern DRC

In response to the fastest-growing Ebola outbreak on record, the WHO Health Emergencies Programme is employing anonymised mobile-phone data to trace how people move across eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Swedish non-profit Flowminder processes records from Vodacom, the country’s largest operator, to estimate travel flows from early epicentres like Bunia, Mongbwalu and Rwampara. Findings showed strong connections to Ituri and North Kivu provinces and later to Kisangani, prompting pre-emptive strengthening of operations there.

Subsequent studies revealed links between Kisangani, Kinshasa and border areas near the Central African Republic and South Sudan, raising concerns about spread to the capital. The approach, unprecedented in an Ebola response, aims to allocate limited resources more efficiently, though it currently covers only Vodacom’s subscriber base. Efforts are under way to secure data from additional telecoms to improve coverage.