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Geographic information systems in the epidemiological study of swine diseases
Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 16 (1993) 69
69
Elsevier Science Publishers B.V., Amsterdam
Geographic information systems in the epidemiological study of swine diseases W.E. Marsh, T. Damrongwatanpokin and R.B. Morrison College of VeterinaryMedicine, Universityof Minnesota, St. Paul MN 55108, USA
A geographic information system (GIS) is being used to study the current pseudorabies epidemic in Minnesota. The GIS technology uses computergenerated digital maps to pinpoint the location of swine herds at a resolution of 40 acres. A color-coding system permits the disease status of each herd in the study area to be readily displayed. A further feature of the system is the ability to capture and store a computer-screen image of the study area for any particular date. The GIS has the ability to take a series of stored single-date snapshots, and display them as an animated picture in a similar fashion to movie film. This animation allows researchers to study the spread of virus among herds and, particularly, to monitor the development of epidemics and the effectiveness of control measures. A further feature of the GIS is the ability to add map overlays of geographical features such as topography, water courses, transportation routes, prevailing wind directions, vegetation, and land-use categories to assist in determining risk factors for a herd becoming infected. Currently, studies are being carried out using data from approximately 500 herds which have been tested positive for pseudorabies virus and quarantined since the epidemic began in 1975. Editors' note: see Prey. Vet. Med., 11 ( 1991 ) 249-254.
© 1993 Elsevier Science Publishers B.V. All fights reserved 0167-5877/93/$06.00
69
Elsevier Science Publishers B.V., Amsterdam
Geographic information systems in the epidemiological study of swine diseases W.E. Marsh, T. Damrongwatanpokin and R.B. Morrison College of VeterinaryMedicine, Universityof Minnesota, St. Paul MN 55108, USA
A geographic information system (GIS) is being used to study the current pseudorabies epidemic in Minnesota. The GIS technology uses computergenerated digital maps to pinpoint the location of swine herds at a resolution of 40 acres. A color-coding system permits the disease status of each herd in the study area to be readily displayed. A further feature of the system is the ability to capture and store a computer-screen image of the study area for any particular date. The GIS has the ability to take a series of stored single-date snapshots, and display them as an animated picture in a similar fashion to movie film. This animation allows researchers to study the spread of virus among herds and, particularly, to monitor the development of epidemics and the effectiveness of control measures. A further feature of the GIS is the ability to add map overlays of geographical features such as topography, water courses, transportation routes, prevailing wind directions, vegetation, and land-use categories to assist in determining risk factors for a herd becoming infected. Currently, studies are being carried out using data from approximately 500 herds which have been tested positive for pseudorabies virus and quarantined since the epidemic began in 1975. Editors' note: see Prey. Vet. Med., 11 ( 1991 ) 249-254.
© 1993 Elsevier Science Publishers B.V. All fights reserved 0167-5877/93/$06.00