1486Geographic information system (GIS) mapping of endemic meningitis of 53 municipalities in three departments of Colombia

Background. Application of new tools for epidemiological investigations, such as Geographical Information Systems (GIS), offers a new approach and possibilities for the eradication or control of infectious diseases. For this reason we developed epidemiological GIS-based maps for meningitis due to Haemophilus influenzae typo b (Hib), Streptococcus pneumoniae (Sp), Neisseria meningitidis (Nm) and Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mt). Methods. Surveillance cases data (2007-2011) were used to estimate annual incidence rates using reference population data, on above described meningitis (cases/ 1,000,000 pop) to develop the first maps of meningitis in the 53 municipalities of the coffee-triangle region of Colombia (departments Caldas, Quindio, Risaralda). GIS used was Kosmo1 3.1. Thematic maps were developed according municipalities, years and etiology. Results. Between 2007-2011, 136 cases were reported (77 due to Mt, 31 Sp, 17 Nm and 11 Hib); for a cummulated rate of 55.68 cases/1,000,000 pop (31.52 Mt, 12.69 Sp, 6.96 Nm and 4.50 Hib). During that period, highest meningitis rates due to Mt, Sp, Nm and Hib were 80.54 cases/1,000,000 pop (2009, Pueblo Rico, Risaralda), 34.90 cases/ 1,000,000 pop (2007, Neira, Caldas), 26.02 cases/1,000,000 pop (2011, La Tebaida, Quindío) and 13.15 cases/1,000,000 pop (2011, Calarcá, Quindío), respectively. Conclusion. Tuberculosis continue to be a significant cause of meningitis in this region of Colombia. GIS based disease surveillance was easily and rapidly implemented in this setting and should be useful in developing interventions, in addition to assessed socioeconomic and healthcare systems conditions for control and prevention. Disclosures. All authors: No reported disclosures.