[(EXPERIENCE WITH GEOGRAPHIC INFORRMATION SYSTEMS USED IN EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDIES (AS AN EXAMPLE OF MALARIA AND...

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

Background:

• Parasitic disease control relies on understanding transmission patterns influenced by environmental and socioeconomic factors.
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS) offer powerful tools for mapping and analyzing disease vectors and spread.
• Dirofilariasis, a parasitic disease, poses a potential threat in various regions, necessitating accurate risk assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To calculate epidemiological parameters for Plasmodium vivax importation risk in Russia.
• To determine the climatic boundaries for dirofilariasis transmission in Russia using GIS.
• To enhance the application of GIS in combating parasitic diseases.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a developed HealthMapper GIS module with a database to calculate epidemiological parameters.
• Analyzed 78 years of average long-term air temperature data, focusing on July (warmest month).
• Correlated temperature data with the presence of mosquito vectors and microfilaremia in definitive hosts (dogs).

Main Results:

• The +14°C July isotherm was identified as the northern limit for potential dirofilariasis spread in Russia.
• HealthMapper module facilitated the calculation of high-risk epidemiological parameters for P.vivax.
• Established a correlation between climatic conditions and the geographical distribution of parasitic disease vectors.

Conclusions:

• GIS, integrated with climatic and epidemiological data, is essential for predicting and managing parasitic disease risks.
• The +14°C July isotherm provides a critical threshold for dirofilariasis surveillance and control in Russia.
• Accurate spatial analysis using GIS can significantly improve public health strategies against vector-borne parasitic diseases.