Application of a geographic information system on spatial distribution of Brucella abortus species in Qinghai Province

Abstract

Objective To establish a geographic information system for Brucella abortus species and study the spatial distribution of Brucella abortus species and strains in Qinghai Province.Methods We got the strains'information from Brucellosis Prevention and Control Department,Qinghai Institute for Endemic Diseases Prevention and Control.Through the geographical information technology software,we established the geographic information system database for Brucella abortus species in Qinghai Province and system fast query function.Time and space distribution of Brucella abortus species and strains was retrieved by the system fast query function and the layer set.Results Through the system fast query function,we got 113 strains' time distribution information.Through the layer set of time and space distribution for spatial distribution,we got 113 strains' and 3 species' spatial distribution information.One hundred and thirteen strains distributed in 21 counties(towns,cities) of Qinghai Province,most in Dulan County (21 strains),Qilian County (16 strains),Dachaidan Town (15 strains),Xinghai County(13 strains) and Gonghe County(10 strains).One hundred and three Brucella melitensis strains distributed in 17 counties(towns,cities) of Qinghai Province,most in Dulan County(20 strains),Qilian County(16 strains),Dachaidan Town (15 strains),Xinghai County (13 strains) and Gonghe County (10 strains); 8 Brucella abortus strains distributed in 6 counties(cities) ; 2 Brucella suis strains distributed in 2 counties.Conclusions We have successfully established a geographic information system for Brucella abortus species and strains in Qinghai Province.Through the layer set for spatial distribution,we could intuitively observe the spatial distribution of Brucella abortus species and strains in Qinghai Province. Key words: Brucella; Geographic information system; Spatial distribution