A global network for the control of snail-borne disease using satellite surveillance and geographic information systems

At a team residency sponsored by the Rockefeller Foundation in Bellagio, It aly, 10-14 April 2000 an organizational plan was conceived to create a glob al network of collaborating health workers and earth scientists dedicated t o the development of computer-based models that can be used fur improved co ntrol programs for schistosomiasis and other snail-borne diseases of medica l and veterinary importance. The models will be assembled using GIS methods , global climate model data, sensor data from earth observing satellites, d isease prevalence data, the distribution and abundance of snail hosts, and digital maps of key environmental factors that affect development and propa gation of snail-borne disease agents. A work plan was developed for researc h collaboration and data sharing, recruitment of new contributing researche rs, and means of access of other medical scientists and national control pr ogram managers to GIS models that may be used for more effective control of snail-borne disease. Agreement was reached on the use of compatible GIS Fo rmats. software, methods and data resources, including the definition of a 'minimum medical database' to enable seamless incorporation of results from each regional GIS project into a global model. The collaboration plan call s for linking a 'central resource group' at the World Health Organization, the Food and Agriculture Organization, Louisiana State University and the D anish Bilharziasis Laboratory with regional GIS networks to be initiated in Eastern Africa, Southern Africa, West Africa, Latin America and Southern A sia. An Internet site, www.gnosisGIS.org. (GIS Network On Snail-borne Infec tions with special reference to Schistosomiasis), has been initiated to all ow interaction of team members as a 'virtual research group'. When complete d, the site will point users to a toolbox of common resources resident on c omputers at member organizations. provide assistance on routine use of GIS health maps in selected national disease control programs and provide a for um for development of GIS models to predict the health impacts of water dev elopment projects and climate variation. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.