An application of geographic information system for brucellosis prevention and control in Sanjiangyuan Region, Qinghai Province

Abstract

Objective Through the application of geographic information system in Sanjiangyuan Region to observe the epidemic trend of brucellosis and do prevention and control study. Methods Brucellosis epidemiological investigation data of 9 counties and Tanggula Town from 2011 to 2013 from Qinghai Institute for Endemic Diseases Prevention and Control were collected. The information of Brucella strains separated from people, animals and wild animals from 1958 to 2013 in Sanjiangyuan Region were collected, too. Geographical information technology software was applied to build database information system for brucellosis and to retrieve the time and spatial distribution. Results A total of 6 310 people from 2011 to 2013 were investigated, patients with brucellosis were 33, and prevalence was 0.52%. Twenty-seven strains were separated which distributed in 10 counties of Sanjiangyuan Region. These strains contained 3 species (22 Brucella melitensis strains, 4 Brucella abortus strains and 1 Brucella suis strains). Database for brucellosis was successfully built which was used to query brucellosis' time and spatial distribution of this area and other information such as infection and prevalence. Conclusion Through the application of geographic information system, the informationization degree of brucellosis prevention and control has been improved, so as to formulate effective prevention and treatment measures. Key words: Brucellosis; Preventive medicine; Geographic information system