Geographic Information System enabled dengue surveillance system in south zone, Bangalore city: A pilot study

Abstract

Introduction: The Public Health Information and Epidemiological Cell (PHIEC) of Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) utilizes the Geographic Information System (GIS) enabled integrated surveillance for collection, integration, analysis and reporting of geo-referenced epidemiological diseases in Bangalore city. Dengue fever is an emerging disease and there are minimum studies conducted in India about the GIS enabled dengue surveillance system. Objective: To assess the relationship between dengue cases and vector indices as depicted in the GIS map. Methodology: Data regarding dengue confirmed cases was obtained from PHIEC and entomological surveillance data from Urban Primary Health Centres (UPHC) for May to July 2017 in south zone of Bangalore city and active data collection was done for August and September 2017. Results: There was significant association between the number of dengue cases and the Breteau index in the month of September. However, there was no association between vector indices and the number of cases during the month of October. In some wards, contrary findings were noted between dengue vector indices and number of cases reported. Conclusion: There was a relationship between reported dengue cases and vector indices and there is a need for incorporation of entomological data into GIS system along with epidemiological and intervention data. Involvement of more private and government health care providers may help answer the gap between entomological data and number of dengue cases.