Abstract:

Objective To evaluate the feasibility of applying Google Earth software to spatial epidemiological analysis of new autochthonous malaria cases. Methods The epidemic data of all new autochthonous malaria cases during 2007-2011 in Shanxian county of Shandong province, China were collected and used as underlying data. Patients’ residences and the major river systems where malaria vector mosquitoes bred in Shanxian county were positioned via a GIS data collector. An integral database of malaria was constructed by batch inputting or importing of above data into Google Earth Free 7.1 software. Results The map database of new autochthonous cases in Shanxian county was constructed on the background of Google Earth satellite imagery. The spatio?temporal distribution of malaria cases was clearly shown in the 3D window. Zooming in and out at special epidemic foci and display of the foci were supported. Landforms surrounding the epidemic spots and distribution of river systems where mosquito vectors bred could be directly exhibited. Conclusion Based on precise positioning with global positioning system and visual display with Google Earth, the satellite imagery map database of malaria can be used in the analysis of spatial distribution of infectious diseases such as malaria and its relationship with the surrounding geographical factors.

Key words: Google Earth, Global positioning system, Malaria, Satellite imagery map

摘要：

目的 探讨Google Earth软件应用于疟疾当地感染新发病例空间流行病学分析的可能。方法 以山东省单县2007－2011年疟疾当地感染新发病例的疫情资料为基础数据, 利用地理信息系统(GIS)地理信息采集器对患者居住地GPS定位, 并搜集单县媒介按蚊孳生主要水系的地理信息等数据, 进而批量输入或导入Google Earth Free 7.1 软件, 统一于疟疾数据库。结果 建立以Google Earth卫星影像为背景的单县疟疾当地感染新发病例的地图数据库, 在其3D视窗上清晰显示出病例的时空分布图, 可以对某病灶点缩放和显示操作, 并能直观展示疫点周围地形地貌和蚊媒孳生的河流等水系分布情况。结论 基于GPS精确定位和Google Earth软件的直观显示而建立的疟疾卫星影像地图数据库, 可以应用在疟疾等传染病空间分布规律及其与周围地理因素的相关性分析上。

关键词: 谷歌地图, 全球定位系统, 疟疾, 卫星影像地图