The first line of defense against deadly diseases and even water shortages might just be your mobile telephone.A new software application combines health worker registries with information about patients and open messaging systems.The app, called mHero, helps to make sure of a fast response to health care crises and natural disasters.mHero stands for Mobile Health Worker Electronic Response and Outreach.It uses a revolutionary new messaging platform called RapidPro.The system uses ‘trigger' words to contact specialized workers if a disease like Ebola is discovered.It also helps users to follow the progress of the people they reached and create real-time data based on their responses.The new app was created in Uganda. A month ago, the country has a number of cases of Marburg, a viral hemorrhagic fever similar to Ebola.Sean Blaschke is a health systems specialist at UNICEF, the United Nations Children's Fund.
