New insights into the application of geographical information systems and remote sensing in veterinary parasitology

Abstract

IntroductionApplication of geographical information systems (GIS) and remote sensing (RS) in veterinary and human medical sciences, particularly in veterinary and human parasitology, is rapidly advancing. During the past 10-20 years the publication of original research articles and reviews in veterinary and human health with an emphasis on GIS and/or RS has followed an exponential trend (Hendrickx et al., 2004). In addition, recent GIS/RS symposia organized at national and international conferences, and several thematic issues on this topic published in the peer-reviewed international literature (e.g. special theme issues in Advances in Parasitology in 2000and Parassitologia in 2005) demonstrate the wide array of applications and benefits of these tools (Cringoli et al., 2005b). Furthermore, the raised interest about these new technologies is testified by the publication of thematic books pertaining GIS and RS, as well as international peer-reviewed journals, including the current launch of Geospatial Health.The establishment and maintenance of websites as a platform for sharing data, exchanging opinions, experiences and expertise on GIS and RS with an emphasis on animal and public health is also worth mentioning (e.g.http://www.gnosisgis.org; http:// www.gisvet.org).In this review, we first summarize general aspects of GIS and RS, and emphasize the most important applications of these tools in veterinary parasitology, including recent advances in territorial sampling. Disease mapping, spatial statistics, including Bayesian inference, ecological analyses and epidemiological surveillance are summarized in the next section and illustrated with a set of figures. Finally, a set of conclusions is put forward. Abstract. Over the past 10-15 years, significant advances have been made in the development and application of geographical information systems (GIS) and remote sensing (RS). In veterinary sciences, particularly in veterinary parasitology, GIS and RS offer powerful means for disease mapping, ecological analysis and epidemiological surveillance and have become indispensable tools for processing, analysing and visualising spatial data. They can also significantly assist with the assessment of the distribution of health-relevant environmental factors via interpolation and modelling. In this review, we first summarize general aspects of GIS and RS, and emphasize the most important applications of these tools in veterinary parasitology, including recent advances in territorial sampling. Disease mapping, spatial statistics, including Bayesian inference, ecological analyses and epidemiological surveillance are summarized in the next section and illustrated with a set of figures. Finally, a set of conclusions is put forward.

A comparative evaluation of endemic and non-endemic region of visceral leishmaniasis (Kala-azar) in India with ground survey and space technology

“…Our study indicates that indoor relative humidity and temperature are highly associated with increased risk for P. argentipes breeding and leishmaniasis infection. Previous work reported that prediction of disease occurrence is based on climatic and/or environmental requirements of sandfly (Cringoli et al 2005, Rinaldi et al 2006. However, our results showed significant associations between vector abundance, indoor temperature and relative humidity, which might be a relevant predictor for disease prevalence.…”

Spatio-temporal correlation between human and bovine schistosomiasis in China: insight from three national sampling surveys

“…Application of GIS and remote sensing (RS) in human and veterinary medical sciences, particularly in human and veterinary parasitology, is rapidly advancing (Yang et al 2005b;Hay et al, 2006;Rinaldi et al, 2006). GIS and RS are suitable tools for the creation of spatially-explicit databases, and the display of relevant data for health policy planning and discussion, guiding interventions and costeffective monitoring at a range of spatial scales (Tatem and Hay, 2004).…”

Geospatial (s)tools: integration of advanced epidemiological sampling and novel diagnostics

“…Geospatial tools, including geographical information systems (GIS) and satellite-based technologies such as remote sensing and global positioning systems (GPS), coupled with geostatistical approaches, are increasingly and successfully applied at different levels from sampling to risk profiling of parasitic diseases (Rinaldi et al, 2006;Brooker, 2007;Simoonga et al, 2009;Machault et al, 2011;Utzinger et al, 2011). Indeed, this represents an innovative and useful way to communicate finding to field researchers and decision-makers and it is a powerful approach that also addresses the spatial targeting of parasite control, including the choice of treatment to be applied.…”

“…The link with geospatial methodologies provides support that moves activities forward Chen et al, 2012). However, there is often a tendency to emphasise drug treatment and vaccines, while the importance of standardisation of geospatial strategies and diagnostics is neglected (Rinaldi et al, 2006;Bergquist et al, 2009;Solomon et al, 2012). It follows that further impetus for research on geospatial technology and links with more sensitive, standardised diagnostic techniques must take place.…”