Need for Improved Methods to Collect and Present Spatial Epidemiologic Data for Vectorborne Diseases

摘要

Improved methods for collection and presentation of spatial epidemiologic data are needed for vectorborne dis-eases in the United States. Lack of reliable data for prob-able pathogen exposure site has emerged as a major ob-stacle to the development of predictive spatial risk models. Although plague case investigations can serve as a model for how to ideally generate needed information, this com-prehensive approach is cost-prohibitive for more common and less severe diseases. New methods are urgently need-ed to determine probable pathogen exposure sites that will yield reliable results while taking into account economic and time constraints of the public health system and attending physicians. Recent data demonstrate the need for a change from use of the county spatial unit for presentation of inci-dence of vectorborne diseases to more precise ZIP code or census tract scales. Such fi ne-scale spatial risk patterns can be communicated to the public and medical community through Web-mapping approaches