Application of geographic information systems to epidemiological surveillance, data analysis, and effective control in infectious disease
Resource
Taiwan J Public Health,21,449-456.
Journal
Taiwan J Public Health
Journal Issue
21
Pages
449-456
Date Issued
2002
Date
2002
Author(s)
Abstract
Objective: Sudden epidemic of an infectious disease urgently needs early prevention and control measures for minimizing the cases leading to an epidemic, particularly on emerging infectious disease (enterovirus 71) or an epidemic strongly associated with imported cases (dengue fever/dengue hemorrhagic fever). Methods: Application of geographic information science (GIS) plus geo-spatial information to public health, including data types, data models, data analysis and statistic tests, will be very useful in immediate control of infectious diseases, such as searching for dead corners of vector-breeding sites (empty ground, or empty houses) and sources of infection among those cases. Results: We initiated multi-disciplinary research collaboration on important infectious diseases in Taiwan and advocated its usage and advantages to local health bureaus and central government health agencies. Conclusion: Although potential problems of the application of GIS and its integration with different information systems exist, the lower cost of developing software and extension of educational purposes plus newly developed biostatistic analysis methods in future years will be very helpful in monitoring the dynamic transmission of pathogenic microbes. They will provide the most effective approaches in prevention and control strategies of infectious diseases.
SDGs
Type
journal article