The Global Alliance for Rabies Control Data Logger (GDL) is a lightweight, user-friendly, cost-effective and portable data- capturing device custom-developed to support rabies control programs. The GDL was primarily designed for use in the field by animal rabies vaccinators, so vaccinators can quickly and easily record data relevant to each vaccination event. It can also be customised to collect other rabies-related local level data (e.g. post-vaccination surveys) as well as other purposes (including for other diseases). 

The GDL has 7 buttons – 6 buttons for “user options” and 1 to confirm the final selected combination of buttons. The 6 buttons relating to “user options” are broken down into 3 questions, each with 2 options. When using the GDL
with its default settings (i.e. animal vaccination campaign), the user will capture the following information (Species of animal – either dog or cat; Sex – either male or female; and Age – either adult or juvenile). The seventh button is then used to confirm the selected options. After confirming, the device will record each option selected, as well as the time, date and satellite triangulated GPS coordinates for that record. For instance, an output can be “Dog, Female, Adult, Date, Time, GPS coordinates”. All of this information is collected by simply pressing 4 buttons.

No. The GDL has been developed to be completely customisable. This includes the decal sticker on the actual device as well as what each button on the device represents. This means that the GDL can be used for almost any purpose, ranging from post-vaccination surveys, use in a clinic situation to track bite patients, dog vaccination, and dog population surveys. The GDL can also be used to collect data for other diseases such as Foot and Mouth Disease, Cholera, Tuberculosis and many others.

Yes. As the GDL relies solely on GPS triangulation, the device can be used anywhere in the world. This includes extremely remote areas where there is no other infrastructure.

No. The GDL relies solely on GPS triangulation information. This means that it does not rely on mobile phone networks to triangulate the location of the device. The data is stored directly on the device memory and there is also no automatic upload of data to a server, so no internet connection/mobile data is required when using the GDL.

The GDL automatically records the following data as soon as the “Confirm” button has been pushed:

- GPS coordinates (latitude and longitude recorded in the decimal degrees format)

- time (GMT)

- date.

In addition, the GDL records the “user options” that are selected on the device when the user clicks the specified buttons (e.g. Dog, Male, Adult). While the data collected by the GDL is limited to three questions (each with two variables), additional campaign details and information (e.g. vaccine lot number, site number, vaccination campaign format, etc.) can be added when downloading the data.

The data collected by the GDL device is stored on the device itself until the user decides to download it to a personal computer. This means that the data is only recorded and stored by the person using the device. Because the user decides when to download the data, the data is completely secure and is not uploaded onto any server. GARC does not require any of the data nor does it have access to any of the data on the device – the data solely belongs to the user and that user can then choose what to do with the data. The data collected can be downloaded onto the user’s computer from where it can be used for multiple different purposes wherever required.

The Rabies Epidemiological Bulletin has been designed to use GDL data outputs directly for easy upload onto the system itself, so that maps and data can be automatically generated. However, this is done at the discretion of the user.

Only you have access to your data. The data recorded on the GDL device is stored on the device itself and is not shared or uploaded onto any server. As the data is solely stored on the device, it is the user’s decision as to who has access to the data. After downloading the data onto the user’s computer, the data remains as an Excel (or .CSV) file on that computer. There is absolutely no obligation from GARC for users to share their data or upload it onto any server or website.

The output file for the GDL is either a Comma Separated Values (.csv) file format or a standard Microsoft Excel file. This means that both the files can be opened in Microsoft Excel, Numbers (iOS), and any other programme capable of opening these file-types. Therefore, any computer should be able to view and edit the data downloaded from the GDL device. From here, the data can be used in any way that you feel best. Graphs can be generated in Excel or alternatively, the data can be
uploaded directly into the Rabies Epidemiological Bulletin for the automatic generation of maps, graphs and tables*. The .csv file format is also compatible with a wide variety of other software tools, such as Tableau, QGIS, ArcGIS as well as other
databases for import. This includes all DHIS2 national instances available in many countries around the world.

*For more information, please contact the Rabies Epidemiological Bulletin administrators at: [email protected]

There are no restrictions placed upon the use of the GDL device by GARC, nor does GARC have any access to any of the data on the device. However, if data that has been collected using the GDL is published, “Global Alliance for Rabies Control” must be acknowledged in the methods section of the scientific publication, poster, presentation or other media format.

Yes. The user can wear any type of glove and still operate the device. This also means that the device can be operated through a plastic bag (which can easily be used to dust-proof or waterproof the device).

Yes. The GDL can be placed into a plastic bag and used through the bag. The cheapest and most effective way to waterproof the device would be to place the device into a ziplock bag (or any other airtight plastic bag) and then use it in the rain. This will ensure that the device remains safe from water damage and will also ensure that it remains clean.

Yes. The GDL can be used under a dense canopy of trees and in most buildings with a basic roof (thatch, tin, thin concrete, tiles etc.) as the GPS signal is strong enough to go through these barriers. Please note that in these instances, you might need to be out in an open area to get a GPS lock before entering the covered area. The only places where the GDL cannot be used are underground or under a thick concrete roof (multiple story buildings, parking garage structures etc.). However, this should typically not pose a problem as most vaccinations will likely occur outside or in smaller buildings. Alternatively, the GDL can be placed at the entrance to the building and data can be recorded as the animal exits the building after being vaccinated.

The number of GDL devices depends on the type of vaccination event you plan on having. Ideally, each vaccinator should have their own GDL device to ensure that every vaccination can be captured. For a roving or door-to-door campaign, each vaccinator must have a GDL device so that each vaccination can be captured before they move on. The benefits of the GDL become evident during roving campaigns, as the vaccinators themselves can use the GDL without the assistance of another specialised data capturer. This therefore reduces the overall costs of campaigns and also moves valuable human resources to vaccinating more dogs. For a fixed-point / central point campaign, a single data capturer can record the information on a GDL while several vaccinators vaccinate the animals, but we would not recommend this as a lack of training and communication could result in confusion and missed data.

The GDL was developed by the Global Alliance for Rabies Control (GARC) and the ‘Intellectual Property’ (covering the design rights, product name, and software) associated with the GDL thus resides with the Global Alliance for Rabies Control.