EpiScanGIS: an online geographic surveillance system for meningococcal disease

Abstract

BackgroundSurveillance of infectious diseases increasingly relies on Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The integration of pathogen fine typing data in dynamic systems and visualization of spatio-temporal clusters are a technical challenge for system development.ResultsAn online geographic information system (EpiScanGIS) based on open source components has been launched in Germany in May 2006 for real time provision of meningococcal typing data in conjunction with demographic information (age, incidence, population density). Spatio-temporal clusters of disease detected by computer assisted cluster analysis (SaTScan™) are visualized on maps. EpiScanGIS enables dynamic generation of animated maps. The system is based on open source components; its architecture is open for other infectious agents and geographic regions. EpiScanGIS is available at , and currently has 80 registered users, mostly from the public health service in Germany. At present more than 2,900 cases of invasive meningococcal disease are stored in the database (data as of June 3, 2008).ConclusionEpiScanGIS exemplifies GIS applications and early-warning systems in laboratory surveillance of infectious diseases.

The relative risk of spatial cluster occurrence and spatiotemporal evolution of meningococcal disease in Niger, 2002-2008

“…In the absence of specific options for the prevention of epidemics, the inclusion of data about time and place of diseases occurrence, prospectively in a spatiotemporal information system could support monitoring activities and make possible to use limited resources to serve the most vulnerable areas. Given the onerous burden of infectious diseases in developing countries with weak economic resources, accessible epidemiological surveillance systems should be introduced to help quickly identifying regions at high risk of epidemic (Reinhardt et al, 2008). Clinicians would thus be informed and better equipped to assist districts in the face of an epidemic.…”

Web GIS-Based Public Health Surveillance Systems: A Systematic Review

“…Some WGPHSSs use standalone data analysis software as a solution to address the lack of embedded analysis tools. For example, EpiScanGIS uses SaTScan to perform cluster analysis [49]. Although more evidence is needed, we believe embedding analysis functionalities in WGPHSSs can streamline the process of PHS.…”

“…Although most systems still use official health data (e.g., EpiScanGIS uses the meningococcal case registry data from the National Reference Centre for Meningococci (NRZM) [49]), emerging technologies, especially Web 2.0, have profoundly revolutionized the way through which health data is collected.…”

Molecular epidemiology of meningococci: Application of DNA sequence typing

“…The German reference laboratory for meningococci has launched a geographic information system that includes finetyping information (Reinhardt et al, 2008). Data are transmitted to the system on a weekly basis enabling timely information transfer to the public.…”