Investigation of a Yellow Fever Epidemic Game

Intended for medical chiefs, management teams, health provider teams, and investigation personnel at the district level, this learning game is a media version of the WHO field guide Investigations of Yellow Fever Epidemics in Africa. A player of the game can embody different roles and converse with other characters, to mirror an investigation of a yellow fever epidemic. In the game, a young man presenting signs of yellow fever is rushed to the district hospital. Dr Ba, District Medical Officer, must remain vigilant. If the case is confirmed, an epidemiological investigation involving expertise in epidemiology, entomology, and virology will need to be carried out. Dr. Ba and his team will have to determine the size of the epidemic, find a vector, and create a response. The game offers the chance to play the role of the District Medical Officer, the epidemiologist, or the virologist, and thus be an actor in an epidemiological investigation.

According to the organisers, video games offer an edutainment learning platform that enables teaching to reflect reality and immerses learners in an environment where they can actively participate. This game is available on CD-ROM and is handed out to health professionals who are involved in investigating epidemics in French- and English-speaking African countries. (The French version has been approved by WHO; to obtain a copy, please contact: publications@who.int The English version will be released shortly.)

Health, Immunisation and Vaccines

According to the producers, after this training tool has been in use for a set time, it will be evaluated based on its educational benefits and its effect on professional conduct. Depending on the results, the "serious game" tool will be optimised and the idea replicated, so that this educational approach can be used in a widespread manner in other areas of learning in relation to African health issues, aiding professionals and populations.

The AMP is a non-governmental organisation (NGO) that works to bring scientific discoveries, industrial applications, and technological innovations that help to combat infectious illnesses within people's reach. AMP implements, among other things, the SIVAC (Supporting Immunization and Vaccine Advisory Committees) initiative, which aims to facilitate, document, and accompany the setting up of national vaccination committees - to facilitate vaccination against yellow fever, amongst other diseases - in Africa and Asia.