Use of Geographic Information System (GIS) to Determine Pattern of Spread of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Nigeria: A Strategy for Public Health Surveillance

Abstract

Geographic Information System (GIS) is made up of different software
tools to acquire, store, extract, transform and visualize spatial data. It
provides a platform, record, analyze and monitor data on avian influenza
and other trans-boundary Animal Diseases. GIS can increase the
efficiency and effectiveness of surveillance systems thereby permitting
changes in health status of population, overtime, facilitation, plan,
implementation and evaluation of diseases control programmes.
Therefore, this study takes a look at the use of GIS to determine pattern of
spread of highly pathogenic Avian Influenza in Nigeria. The study
evaluates the mechanism as a strategy for Public Health Surveillance.
The study discovers that GIS technology can increase the efficiency and
effectiveness of surveillance systems through three functions namely data
input (data base functions) analysis (interpretation, cluster detection),
and outputs (disease risk maps). Hence, it is concluded that the use of
GIS to determine the pattern of spread of highly pathogenic Avian
Influenza will enhance prompt methods of control and eradication of
avian influenza diseases in Nigeria. Consequently, the training of
veterinary administrators and other veterinary workers by the
Government on the use of GIS to determine the patter of spread of HPAI
for proper control of the disease should be treated as a matter of great
urgency.