Dasymetric Mapping and Spatial Modeling of Mosquito Vector Exposure, Chesapeake, Virginia, USA

Abstract

Abstract:Complex biophysical, social, and human behavioral factors influence population vulnerability to vector-borne diseases. Spatially and temporally dynamic environmental and anthropogenic patterns require sophisticated mapping and modeling techniques. While many studies use environmental variables to predict risk, human population vulnerability has been a challenge to incorporate into spatial risk models. This study demonstrates and applies dasymetric mapping techniques to map spatial patterns of vulnerable human populations and characterize potential exposure to mosquito vectors of West Nile Virus across Chesapeake, Virginia. Mosquito vector abundance is quantified and combined with a population vulnerability index to evaluate exposure of human populations to mosquitoes. Spatial modeling is shown to capture the intersection of environmental factors that produce spatial hotspots in mosquito vector abundance, which in turn poses differential risks over time to humans. Such approaches can help design overall mosquito pest management and identify high-risk areas in advance of extreme weather.

Exploratory Analysis of Dengue Fever Niche Variables within the Río Magdalena Watershed

“…Previous research has identified flower pots, water storage containers, impervious surface catchments, and other anthropogenic water sources as opportunities for Aedes aegypti larval development [1,6]. These features are common to domesticated or developed areas, perpetuating the likelihood of the Aedes aegypti mosquito to be found in urban/populated environments, and increasing the opportunity for mature specimens to feed on human populations to disperse the virus [4,6,20].…”

“…The variables defining this niche can be estimated through RS data to derive the geographic extent of the mosquito's habitat [3], and could become increasingly important to accurately monitor future transmission risk of DF. Similar habitat and dispersion studies are already being conducted for this and other vector diseases, including West Nile Virus and Malaria [2,4,7]. The focus of this manuscript is the DF virus, although some of the incorporated variables and discussion directly address the Aedes aegypti mosquito vector, which we assume the vector dispersion to be associated to the disease spread.…”

“…Vector modeling could therefore be implemented into current autonomous monitoring systems, such as MODIS's Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET [13]) [2,12,[14][15][16]. NASA scientists have developed such a Malaria transmission model though the Goddard Space Flight Center's Health Planet program, which incorporates input variables for parasites, hosts, vectors, and environmental and human factors [4]. Similar vector warning products could be developed to improve disease dispersion monitoring practices for additional diseases [2,12].…”

“…Cost limitation of in situ data collection has increased the use of remote sensing (RS) and Geographic Information Science (GIS) applications to estimate disease spread and population vulnerability [2,3]. Public health agencies can use such tools to implement monitoring and surveillance programs for multiple purposes, including the estimation of vector abundance, implement prevention strategies, or to control for further dispersion of the disease and vector [4,5]. Additionally, local metrics and research are needed to improve current vector disease monitoring practices before cost effective predictive or forewarning systems can be studied or implemented [6][7][8][9].…”

Remote Sensing and Geospatial Technologies in Public Health

“…Haley Cleckner and Thomas Allen from East Carolina University apply a dasymetric mapping technique to map spatial patterns of vulnerable populations and to characterize potential exposure to mosquito vectors of West Nile Virus across the Chesapeake region of Virginia [13]. In their article, "Dasymetric Mapping and Spatial Modeling of Mosquito Vector Exposure, Chesapeake, Virginia, USA", they quantify mosquito vector abundance, which in combination with a population vulnerability index, they demonstrate an evaluative technique which examines the exposure of human populations to mosquitoes.…”