Application of geographic information technology in determining risk of eastern equine encephalomyelitis virus transmission

Geographic information system (GIS) technology and remote sensing were used to identify landscape features determining risk of eastern equine encephal omyelitis virus (EEE) transmission as defined by the abundance of Culiseta melanura (the enzootic vector) and 6 putative epidemic-epizootic vectors in Massachusetts. Landsat Thematic Mapper data combined with aerial videograp hy data were used to generate a map of landscape elements at epidemic-epizo otic foci in southeastern Massachusetts. Geographic information system tech nology was used to determine the proportion of landscape elements surroundi ng 15 human and horse case sites where abundance data were collected for Cu liseta melanura, Aedes canadensis, Aedes vexans, Culex salinarius, Coquille ttidia perturbans, Anopheles quadrimaculatus, and Anopheles punctipennis. T he relationships between vector abundance and landscape proportions were an alyzed using stepwise linens regression. Stepwise regression indicated wetl ands as the most important major class element, which accounted for up to 7 2.5% of the observed variation in the host-seeking populations of Ae. canad ensis, Ae. vexans, and Cs. melanura. Moreover, stepwise linear regression d emonstrated deciduous wetlands to be the specific wetland category contribu ting to the major class models. This approach of utilizing GIS technology a nd remote sensing in combination with street mapping can be employed to ide ntify deciduous wetlands in neighborhoods at risk for EEE transmission and to plan more efficient schedules of pesticide applications targeting adults .