Geospatial Framework for Dengue Using Open Source Web Gis Technology

Surveillance of fatal disease increasingly realise on geographic information (Spatial and Temporal factors). We develop a web based geographical information system for online dengue and DHF mapping that is distributed, loosely coupled, interoperable and ultimately provide a real time, dynamic way to represent disease information on map. Hospital have access to password protected data entry functions which allow them to submit and update current and historical data for dengue patients, GIS system in turn geocode, model, map, analyze, manage and present this spatio-temporal information. Our data on reported cases, deaths and circulating viruses are available to the public for query by year, month and geographic area. Results of queries are available in the form of table, map, chart and text formats. The objective of developed web application is to provide a standard platform for sharing current surveillance data and making the national data more comparable than they are today, in order to detect and monitor incidence and trends of dengue and DHF. It also provide unrestricted access to useful information that can help public health professionals with advance warning of epidemics for collaborative preparedness, case management, response and recovery stages of disease control. The aim of this paper is to define the role of geographical information system (GIS) in current dengue surveillance systems and focus on the application of open access web GIS technology to emphasis its importance in developing INDIA, where the dengue burden is increasing year by year.