Mapping malaria risk in Africa: What can satellite data contribute?

Recent developments in the access of remotely sensed vegetation and weather data, and their analysis along with other data sources within a geographical information system (GIS), have opened up new possibilities for African health services and research institutes in malaria stratification, monitoring and early warning. Madeleine Thomson, Stephen Connor, Paul Milligan and Stephane Flasse review the current situation and outline the way ahead.