Application of GIS in the analysis of distribution of medically important arthropods and related diseases

Abstract

The distribution of medically important arthropods and related diseases is changing on a global scale due to issues involving natural environments, socioeconomic conditions and border disputes, etc. Geographic information systems (GIS) provide an important method for establishing a prompt and precise understanding of the local data of these outbreak, from which the disease eradication programs can be built. Having first defined GIS as a combination of GPS, RS and GIS, we detailed the history of development of each technology and showed the processes through which these technologies were being introduced into our research. We examined past reports published in this journal from the perspective of geographical information and found that GIS is essential in medical and zoological research. GIS derived geographical information attributes were interpreted in terms of point, line, area, spatial epidemiology, risk and development into infestation models. As a case study, we showed the progress of our research on Aedes albopictus, the vector mosquito for dengue fever, chikungunya fever and other various communicable diseases, whose infestation and establishment in new environment due to global warming is currently being closely monitored worldwide. The need for inter-disciplinary collaboration on the issues and perspective for future GIS utilization should be advocated.