USAID calls on web crowdsourcing for suits to fight the spread of Ebola

The United States has issued an urgent plea for internet crowdsourcing to fight the deadly Ebola outbreak, Sky News has learned. The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) wants radically new anti-contamination suit designs, to stop health workers and airport screeners suffering from heat stress. USAID said it wants “crowdsourcing, competition and breakthrough innovation” to fight the West African epidemic and any “future outbreaks”.

We want behaviour change approaches to encourage - and dispel myths and misconceptions that discourage - care-seeking or interacting with health care authorities.

USAID statement

It intends to partner novel suit designs with companies capable of producing the new kit within two months. Several days ago USAID announced a desire for innovative ideas to overcome tropical heat stress and contagion risks when de-suiting, but it did not offer detailed requirements. It has now issued further clarification, saying it wants “entirely novel” personal protection equipment. It also wants new suit designs for people working at airports, security checkpoints and for burials.

crowdsourcing Africa