Examples of using spatial information technologies for mapping and modelling mosquito-borne diseases based on environmental, climatic and socio-economic factors and different spatial statistics, temporal risk indices and spatial analysis: A review

Abstract

The best way to avoid the impact of mosquito-borne diseases (MBDs) is to control and monitor their vectors and their environmental conditions. Spatial information technologies (SITs) are required for forecasting, controlling, monitoring and early detection of these environmental conditions and prevention of mosquito-borne diseases. Different SITs have shown promising results in assessing the risk of various MBDs at different spatial scales. SITs such as the geographic information system (GIS) and remote sensing (RS) and their related techniques cannot identify the vectors of MBDs themselves, but they can characterise the environment in which the vectors thrive. As new tools of surveillance, SITs are powerful predictors in the mapping and modelling of the geographical limits, intensity, and dynamics of the risk of MBDs. This literature review concentrates on MBDs that are transmitted by mosquito-borne viruses. Additionally, the main aim of this review is to give overview examples of how mapping and modelling based on SITs (e.g. GIS and its related tools) approaches are used to visualise and analyse mosquito vector and epidemiologic data and to describe the factors that can help in the control of these diseases. Using spatial information technologies and other methods with climatic, socio-economic and environmental factors and mosquito distribution pattern(s), it should be possible to extract the risk-areas at a predetermined spatial scale of investigation. Also, many points that are extracted from this review described the importance of using spatial information technologies and their related spatial statistics, temporal risk indices and analyst methods. This review also highlights the knowledge gaps in this area of research.