Combining Google Earth and GIS mapping technologies in a dengue surveillance system for developing countries

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
• Vector-borne Disease Control

Background:

• Dengue fever poses a significant burden on tropical developing nations, exacerbated by unplanned urbanization.
• Mosquito-borne illnesses require effective surveillance and management tools, particularly in resource-limited settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and implement a dengue fever surveillance system utilizing readily available technologies.
• To enhance the ability of public health workers to identify and prioritize areas for mosquito control interventions.

Main Methods:

• Utilized Google Earth satellite imagery to create a base map of Bluefields, Nicaragua.
• Integrated Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping with ArcGIS 9 to overlay dengue case data, larval infestation indices, and potential mosquito breeding sites.
• Employed visual analysis of spatial data to guide targeted control efforts.

Main Results:

• Enabled accurate identification of areas with high mosquito infestation indices.
• Facilitated the interpretation of spatial relationships between infestation sites and potential larval development areas (e.g., garbage dumps, standing water).
• Allowed dengue control specialists to prioritize neighborhoods for targeted interventions.

Conclusions:

• The dengue surveillance program effectively supports public health workers in resource-limited settings.
• The system enables prioritization of control strategies to target high-risk areas and eliminate mosquito vector origins.
• The program is cost-effective, utilizes accessible technology, and is suitable for implementation in developing countries without consistent internet access.