Rift Valley fever outbreaks forecasting models: joint FAO-WHO experts consultation, Rome, Italy, 29 September-1 October 200

Overview

FAO and WHO invited a group of experts on the Rift Valley Fever (RVF) modelling and forecasting to a two-day Rift Valley fever outbreak forecasting models workshop to share feedback from the 2006– 2008 outbreaks. The aim was to share experiences, identify gaps and explore potential improvements in RVF outbreak models. The objectives of the workshop were to review the natural history of RVF, review the forecasting models and risk distribution maps available and being developed, and propose how these tools might be improved. The final goal was to define a roadmap, in the form of recommendations, for the development of tools for forecasting RVF outbreaks and for real-time analysis of RVF spread during outbreaks.