How Travel Data Can Help Manage the Spread of Zika

Amadeus partners with UNICEF to share data to understand patterns to prevent outbreaks

Tomas Lopez Fernebrand, SVP, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, Amadeus IT Group
Denis holds his daughter Denisse, 9 months, who was born with congenital Zika syndrome, as Denisse's sister Emma kisses her at the family's home in Guatemala City, Guatemala
UNICEF/UN0148697/Volpe
19 July 2016

Nearly four million people could be infected by the Zika virus in the Americas by the end of the year, according to the World Health Organization. In response to this public health emergency, Amadeus and UNICEF have partnered to facilitate the sharing of vital travel data to better understand patterns of the spread of Zika and potential outbreak zones.

This pioneering initiative provides a mechanism by which the humanitarian sector could rapidly apply existing complex data sources to better understand serious emergencies at the moment they happen. The data contributed by Amadeus allows UNICEF to have better, informed programmes that relate to the spread of epidemics and emergencies by understanding the mobility patterns of individuals and communities.

“At Amadeus, we are providing the travel industry with the tools and solutions needed to thrive in today’s market and to prepare for tomorrow. We are innovating with our partners to create new models using data and analytics, and in this regard we are very pleased to help UNICEF with its health programmes. Amadeus will leverage its Travel Intelligence Engine and Data Scientists to integrate travel data with UNICEF’s health, government, social media, mobile, and weather data to determine journey patterns and assess future problem areas.”

Pascal Clement, Head of Travel Intelligence at Amadeus

“The true potential of a tool like this real-time data platform will only be realized through new types of partnerships. Amadeus, who will provide data, are helping create a global public good which serves children everywhere”, said UNICEF Innovation Ventures Lead, Christopher Fabian.

“Partners like Amadeus and Google, who we are also working with, are forward thinking collaborators in designing the open source system, which will allow UNICEF and other agencies to more rapidly understand our increasingly complex world.” he added.

 

We are proud to be a part of this initiative and look forward to working hand in hand with UNICEF in their battle with the Zika virus.