Geospatial epidemiological approaches to the prevention and control of vector-borne diseases: A systematic review

Vector-borne diseases (VBDs), primarily transmitted through the bites of vectors such as mosquitoes, ticks, and sandflies, have been recognized as a critical global public health priority. This systematic review summarizes the pivotal role of geospatial technologies, including geographic information systems (GIS), remote sensing (RS), and advanced spatial statistical methodologies, in enhancing disease surveillance systems. We conducted a comprehensive literature screening across the PubMed and OVID Medline databases, identifying 652 relevant studies published between 2015 and 2024. These studies were analyzed to evaluate the application of geospatial approaches to several critical VBDs such as malaria, dengue fever, yellow fever, and other VBDs. The integration of GIS and RS enables high-resolution mapping of vector habitats and disease hotspots by analyzing environmental factors. Advanced spatial statistical models effectively quantify the influence of environmental and socioeconomic variables, predict transmission risk, and detect significant spatial clusters. Phylogeographic analyses elucidate pathogen origins and transmission pathways, while animal migration tracking reveals the role of long-distance vector and host dispersal in disease spread. These approaches have facilitated the development of actionable risk maps that support targeted interventions, optimize resource allocation, and underpin early warning systems for diseases such as malaria, dengue fever, yellow fever, and Zika virus disease. In summary, geospatial epidemiology plays a critical role in VBD control by providing evidence-based insights into transmission dynamics. Future efforts should prioritize interdisciplinary collaboration and the development of integrated, real-time surveillance platforms that combine multisource data and predictive modeling.