ASTM: Developing the web service for anthrax related spatiotemporal characteristics and meteorology study

Abstract

BackgroundAnthrax is a zoonotic infectious disease caused by Bacillus anthracis. Investigating the spatiotemporal characteristics of anthrax and the impact of meteorological factors on the incidence of anthrax is helpful for the prevention and control of anthrax.MethodsAt first, we applied the Granger causality test to explore the spatiotemporal characteristics of anthrax transmission between the counties and cities of Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Gansu Province of China. Then, we constructed three generalized linear models to analyze the impact of meteorological factors on the monthly number of anthrax cases in Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. Finally, we developed an easy‐to‐use online web server that integrates the above functions.ResultsThis study developed an online service website (ASTM Anthrax in Gannan, Zhang Lab) for the analysis and visualization of anthrax, which not only can investigate the correlation of anthrax among different regions in Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, but also can analyze the correlation between meteorological factors and the number of anthrax cases.ConclusionsOur study not only explored spatiotemporal characteristics of anthrax transmission, but also analyzed the impact of seven meteorological factors on the monthly number of anthrax cases. Meanwhile, the online service website which integrates the above functions is useful for the prevention and control of anthrax.