Linda Y. Wilson¹, Marangellie Trujillo¹, Wendy Spey¹, and Pierre Vigilance, MD, MPH². (1) Acute Communicable Diseases, Baltimore City Health Department, 210 Guilford 3rd floor, HCDP Division, Baltimore, MD 21202, 410-396-4436, linda.wilson@baltimorecity.gov, (2) Health Promotion & Disease Prevention, Baltimore City Health Department, 210 Guilford Avenue, 3rd Floor, Baltimore, MD 21202

Local health departments throughout the eastern US reported increased Shigella sonnei morbidity during 2002. Baltimore City Health Department (BCHD) reported a city –wide outbreak with 658 culture-confirmed cases. Recognizing the need to implement intensive prevention measures in targeted areas of the city, BCHD epidemiologists utilized Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to map affected areas.

GIS mapping methods were designed to assist Acute Communicable Diseases’ epidemiologists accomplish three goals: 1) identify zip codes of highest morbidity; 2) display spatial relationships between affected daycares, schools, and residences; and 3) track geographic morbidity trends over time.

Results identified areas of highest morbidity and targeted prevention measures were implemented such as hand-washing campaigns in schools and daycares, restriction of cases or employees from attending or working in daycare setting, distribution of community alert letters, and physician notifications. Epidemiologists performed disease prevention presentations for daycares, schools, community and faith based organizations and distributed prevention information to individual residences in the highest morbidity areas. Continuous morbidity tracking over time showed distinct patterns of outbreak progression throughout the city and enabled epidemiologists to target and concentrate prevention activities in potential high-risk areas.

GIS is a valuable visual and predictive tool that assisted epidemiologists in elucidating morbidity trends and identifying areas to maximize utilization of resources. Further study and development of additional uses of GIS in epidemiological analysis at BCHD is ongoing.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session participants will be able to

1)Describe the importance of GIS as a visual and predictive tool.
• Define critical prevention activities for diarrheal outbreaks.
• Design and implement GIS epidemiological studies.

Keywords: Child Care, Geographic Information Systems

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.