Abstract
BackgroundFor years, emerging infectious diseases have appeared worldwide and threatened the health of people. The emergence and spread of an infectious-disease outbreak are usually unforeseen, and have the features of suddenness and uncertainty. Timely understanding of basic information in the field, and the collection and analysis of epidemiological information, is helpful in making rapid decisions and responding to an infectious-disease emergency. Therefore, it is necessary to have an unobstructed channel and convenient tool for the collection and analysis of epidemiologic information in the field.Methodology/Principal FindingsBaseline information for each county in mainland China was collected and a database was established by geo-coding information on a digital map of county boundaries throughout the country. Google Maps was used to display geographic information and to conduct calculations related to maps, and the 3G wireless network was used to transmit information collected in the field to the server. This study established a decision support system for the response to infectious-disease emergencies based on WebGIS and mobile services (DSSRIDE). The DSSRIDE provides functions including data collection, communication and analyses in real time, epidemiological detection, the provision of customized epidemiological questionnaires and guides for handling infectious disease emergencies, and the querying of professional knowledge in the field. These functions of the DSSRIDE could be helpful for epidemiological investigations in the field and the handling of infectious-disease emergencies.Conclusions/SignificanceThe DSSRIDE provides a geographic information platform based on the Google Maps application programming interface to display information of infectious disease emergencies, and transfers information between workers in the field and decision makers through wireless transmission based on personal computers, mobile phones and personal digital assistants. After a 2-year practice and application in infectious disease emergencies, the DSSRIDE is becoming a useful platform and is a useful tool for investigations in the field carried out by response sections and individuals. The system is suitable for use in developing countries and low-income districts.
Highlights
Emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) have appeared worldwide and threatened the health of people, and a significant burden on global economic and public health [1,2]
Conclusions/Significance: The DSSRIDE provides a geographic information platform based on the Google Maps application programming interface to display information of infectious disease emergencies, and transfers information between workers in the field and decision makers through wireless transmission based on personal computers, mobile phones and personal digital assistants
Considering the case of China, the current study aims to provide a flexible and efficient tool that can be used in the response to infectious-disease emergencies in the field, and to establish a Decision Support System for Response to Infectious Disease Emergencies (DSSRIDE) based on WebGIS and mobile services
Summary
Emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) have appeared worldwide and threatened the health of people, and a significant burden on global economic and public health [1,2]. Collection and analysis of epidemiological information is helpful for making rapid decisions and responding to an infectiousdisease emergency. Surveillance systems of infectious diseases, such as GPHIN, Argus, HealthMap, and BioacaCaster, have been established for the collection, management, and analysis of epidemiologic data, which has promoted the prevention and control of infectious diseases [9,10,11]. Understanding of basic information in the field, and the collection and analysis of epidemiological information, is helpful in making rapid decisions and responding to an infectious-disease emergency. It is necessary to have an unobstructed channel and convenient tool for the collection and analysis of epidemiologic information in the field
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