A Disease Control-Oriented Land Cover Land Use Map for Myanmar

Area of Science:

• Environmental science
• Public health
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

Background:

• Malaria poses a significant global health threat, causing widespread mortality.
• Myanmar is crucial in malaria control due to the documented emergence of drug-resistant strains.
• Effective malaria control in Myanmar is vital to prevent devastating global consequences.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a high-resolution land cover/land use (LCLU) map for malaria control in Myanmar.
• To leverage remote sensing technology for public health applications on a large spatial scale.
• To provide critical data on population distribution and human-vector interactions for malaria eradication.

Main Methods:

• Creation of a 30-meter resolution LCLU map using remote sensing data.
• A bottom-up approach for map customization and application.
• Utilizing LCLU data to inform malaria control strategies.

Main Results:

• A detailed 30-meter LCLU map specifically tailored for Myanmar's malaria control efforts.
• Demonstration of remote sensing as a powerful tool for public health surveillance.
• Identification of potential human-vector interaction interfaces crucial for targeted interventions.

Conclusions:

• The developed LCLU map is a valuable asset for malaria control and eradication in Myanmar.
• The methodology can be adapted for other vector-borne diseases in Southeast Asia.
• High-resolution spatial data is essential for effective disease control in vulnerable regions.