APOPO trains rats to diagnose Tuberculosis, by using their extraordinary sense of smell. TB detection rats like Bubble can test more samples in 10 minutes than a lab technician can evaluate in a day. HeroRATs have saved over 5800 lives by correctly identifying TB positive patients that were originally missed by microscopy in 15 partner clinics in Mozambique. This project will fully train Bubble so he can support his rodent colleagues in Maputo and sniff out 1 of the world's deadliest diseases.
In Mozambique, Tuberculosis is a leading cause of disease and death. The lack of a fast and efficient TB diagnostic method is one of the main reasons for the fast spread of TB. APOPO is working towards eradicating TB in Sub-Saharan Africa by training locally available rats, such as Bubble, to evaluate sputum samples more swiftly and efficiently. Last year more than 2.8 million Africans were suffering from the disease, together we can ensure that TB is consigned to history.
After undergoing rigorous training, Bubble will screen hundreds of patients every month from sputum samples collected at 15 TB clinics in Maputo, Mozambique. The samples are heat deactivated before the HeroRats sniff them out to indicate they've found a positive sample by pausing over it for three seconds. As a result, many TB patients who were first diagnosed as negative by hospitals, would then be identified as positive and can be treated, curbing the spread of TB.
TB is a 'disease of poverty' that often results in economical challenges for whole households who may be forced to pull children from school to work, or halt economic activities in order to provide care. A cycle of debt can be created from which many households never recover especially if the breadwinner is seriously affected. APOPO and its' HeroRATs help people to stay productive by reducing illness.
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).
