Objective: Geographical information systems (GIS) have been extensively used for the development of epidemiological maps of tropical diseases, however not yet specifically for Zika virus (ZIKV) infection. Methods: Surveillance case data of the ongoing epidemics of ZIKV in the Tolima department, Colombia (2015-2016) were used to estimate cumulative incidence rates (cases/100,000 pop.) to develop the first maps in the department and its municipalities, including detail for the capital, Ibagué. The GIS software used was Kosmo Desktop 3.0RC1®. Two thematic maps were developed according to municipality and communes incidence rates. Results: Up to March 5, 2016, 4,094 cases of ZIKV were reported in Tolima, for cumulated rates of 289.9 cases/100,000 pop. (7.95% of the country). Burden of ZIKV infection has been concentrated in its east area, where municipalities have reported >500 cases/100,000 pop. These municipalities are bordered by two other departments, Cundinamarca (3,778 cases) and Huila (5,338 cases), which also have high incidences of ZIKV infection. Seven municipalities of Tolima ranged from 250-499.99 cases/100,000 pop., of this group five border with high incidence municipalities (>250), including the capital, where almost half of the reported cases of ZIKV in Tolima are concentrated. Conclusions: Use of GIS-based epidemiological maps helps to  guide decisions for the prevention and control of diseases that represent significant issues in the region and the country, but also in emerging conditions such as ZIKV.

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used was Kosmo Desktop 3.0RC1 ® . Three thematic incidence rate maps were developed. Results Up to April 2, 2016, 9,825 cases of ZIKV were reported (15.15 % of the country cases). The burden of ZIKV infection has been concentrated in the North of the department. Valle del Cauca borders with other departments with incidence of ZIKV infection, such as Quindío (173 cases) and Risaralda (687 cases). Eleven municipalities of Valle del Cauca had cases in the range between 250 and 499 cases/100,000, all in the North and East of the department. Cali, the capital concentrates more than a third of the reported cases of ZIKV in Valle del Cauca. Conclusions Use of GIS-based epidemiological maps allows to guide decision-making for prevention and control of diseases that constitute significant public health problems in the region and the country, such as exemplified by the emergence of ZIKV infection, particularly in departments such as Valle del Cauca with a high disease incidence.

Z ika virus (ZIKV) infection is causing epidemics in Latin America [1]. Colombia has officially reported a total of 58,838 cases of ZIKV infection in the first 32 epidemic weeks (21 in 2015 and 11 in 2016) [2]. According to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the World Health Organization (WHO), Colombia has fewer cases than Brazil in terms of absolute number of infections (58,838 cases, 4% laboratory confirmed in Colombia compared to 72,596 cases, 0.74% laboratory confirmed in Brazil) [3,4]. However, Colombia has a higher per capita incidence rate (IR) than Brazil due to its smaller population size (209,157,170 pop, IR = 34.71 cases/100,000 population in Brazil; 48,747,632 population, IR=120.70 cases/100,000 population in Colombia) [4]. The ZIKV incidence rate is 3.5 times higher in Colombia than in Brazil. Thus, Colombia currently faces the greatest burden of disease for ZIKV, worldwide.