For some years now, the Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) has become a hazard to the poultry industry causing great economic loss as well as reduction in protein intake of the population which has direct implications for the health situation. To address this issue, the United Nation’s Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) engaged CEGIS to develop a serviceable operational SMS Gateway System for increased rapid reporting and archiving of suspected Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) cases for the Department of Livestock Services. This gateway system is a two way communication system that allows data gathering and distribution through automatic transmission of SMS through the GSM/GPRS modem or mobile phone network system.
The main objective this project was to increase the reporting rate of suspected cases of HPAI outbreaks throughout the affected areas for preventive measures. It is a simple system comprising a mobile phone, a computer fitted with a modem and can be easily established anywhere such as at Union Parishad Information Centres. Any mobile owner can register under the system to send and get SMS regarding bird flu for taking preventive measures for poultry farms or localities.