Abstract:
Infectious diseases transmitted by vectors/intermediate hosts
constitute a major part of the economic burden related to public
health in the endemic countries of the tropics, which challenges local
welfare and hinders development. The World Health Organization,
in partnership with pharmaceutical companies, major donors,
endemic countries and non-governmental organizations, aims to
eliminate the majority of these infections in the near future. To succeed,
the ecological requirements and real-time distributions of the
causative agents (bacteria, parasites and viruses) and their vectors
must not only be known to a high degree of accuracy, but the data
must also be updated more rapidly than has so far been the case.
Current approaches include data collection through terrestrial capture
on site and satellite-generated information. This article provides
an update of currently available sources of remotely-sensed data,
including specific information on satellite-borne sensors, and how
such data can be handled by Geographical Information Systems
(GIS). Computers, when equipped with GIS software based on common
spatial denominators, can connect remotely-sensed environmental
records with terrestrial-captured data and apply spatial statistics
in ways uniquely suited to manage control activities in areas
where vector-borne infections dominate.
