NEW GEOGRAPHICAL APPROACHES TO CONTROL OF SOME PARASITIC ZOONOSES

The advent of new technology for geographical representation and spati al analysis of databases from different sectors offers a new approach to planning and managing the control of tropical diseases. This articl e reviews the geographical and intersectoral aspects of the epidemiolo gy and control of African trypanosomiasis, cutaneous and visceral leis hmaniasis, Chagas disease, schistosomiasis, and foodborne trematode in fections, The focal nature of their transmission, increasing recogniti on of the importance of animal reservoirs, and the need to understand environmental factors influencing their distribution are common to all these diseases. Geographical information systems (GIS) open a complet ely new perspective for intersectoral collaboration in adapting new te chnology to promote control of these diseases.