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digital
form, including sensor data from earth observing satellites, agroclimatic databases
and maps of host populations, vector distribution and disease prevalence. GIS
layers are registered to the identical scale and projection of a reference
base map. This allows analysis of all information by location, including 'descriptive
data sets that are attached'
to specific locations or areas. Once created, GIS provides a dynamic, easily
updated mapping system that can be used to recommend and monitor disease interventions.
For the first time, many excellent current and historical local disease investigations
can be systematically and accurately placed in a broad geographical and ecological
context. Schistosomiasis is the second most important parasitic disease, affecting
over 200 million people in tropical and sub-tropical environments. It continues
to pose significant health risks even in countries that have well-developed
treatment and control programs, such as Egypt and China. More systematic approaches
to optimizing interventions and control program management by health workers
in affected countries may be made possible by access to meaningful data from
GIS control models. The Team Residency was directed at developing strategies
that will facilitate collaboration, data sharing and development of effective
GIS models by regional networks of scientists via the Internet and at development
of plans to develop a more comprehensive global GIS database for control of
snail-borne disease. |
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