310108
Development of a Spatio-temporal Surveillance System Database to Monitor Dengue Exposure Risk in Brownsville, Texas
The goals of this investigation include identifying temporal patterns of vector incidence, establishing spatial relationships of mosquitoes within the city and studying climate-induced variations in the Dengue vector population.
Our methods include using STATA to generate graphs that show the monthly distribution of mosquitoes by year. Analysis will establish periods of highest risk for disease transmission and thus identify a potential local Dengue season. We will then correlate temporal analysis with weather data to ascertain relationships between climate and mosquito density. Lastly, we will utilize GIS (geographical information systems) to construct maps and perform a cluster analysis to help identify areas of highest risk of exposure.
This presentation will highlight 1) the design of a surveillance database 2) the streamlining of arbovirus surveillance strategy and 3) the translation of quantitative data into community interventions.
Based on the results we will submit recommendations to guide and define future surveillance and vector control strategies. This includes educating community members such as healthcare professionals and environmental personnel on disease identification and prevention. We will help direct efforts of mosquito mitigation, spraying, and awareness campaigns. This project represents the first step in unifying arbovirus surveillance systems in South Texas.
Learning Areas:
Environmental health sciencesProtection of the public in relation to communicable diseases including prevention or control
Public health or related research
Learning Objectives:
Design a surveillance system database
Analyze surveillance data to identify a principal Dengue season
Identify methods of improvement in vector surveillance systems
Discuss how vector surveillance data can help direct preventative strategies such as public health awareness campaigns and spraying.
Keyword(s): Epidemiology, Data Collection and Surveillance
Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am an MD/MPH Kleberg research scholar as a part of the University of Texas Health Science Center Regional Academic Health Center in Harlingen, Texas. Additionally, I was involved in the 2013 EIS investigation of the Dengue outbreak in Cameron County Texas and served as the Dengue Health Intern for the City of Brownsville DPH. I am the primary investigator on the Dengue surveillance project and my interests are primarily infectious disease and border health.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.