Mapping malaria b) GIS based malaria surveillance system Health infrastructure is probably the most widely distributed network, the data is being generated at the local level, compiles and sent to national level successively through next higher administrative unit and by the time it reaches policy makers it loses its significance. Therefoe, an efficient information management system is highly required for surveillance of disease and control programme. A GIS based surveillance system for Dindigul municipality, Dindigul, Tamil Nadu has been developed. The district initially composed of 44 wards (now 48), the map was digitised and streetwise information on 33 parameters of each ward has been attached. Information of any ward can be retrieved at the click of the mouse. Any desires area can be selected and zoomed in to reach from ward to street and street to house, and housewise information can be attached (Fig. 3). One can study malaria dynamics both in space and time and relate the increase in malaria incidence to specific breeding sites (Fig.4). Nov 19th, 1999 was observed as 'The World GIS Day' and the same day, the GIS based Surveillance System was implemented in Dindigul municipality. Also a dynamic Web site was hosted on the same day at URL www.malaria-tn.org. Rights for updation of data are reserved for district health officers. The system has been developed using ARC/ Info NT and Arc/ View 3.1. Though one can have full GIS functionalities on the internet by installing Internet Map Server on the site, but initially a low cost GIS solution has been suggested. The data can be accessed and downloaded, the site also provides a link to the free download site of ESRI software. The user can download the software and play with the data at onsite computer. GIS Day was sponsored mainly by National Geographic Society, USA and Environmental Sciences Research Institute, USA, they have compiled success stories which includes MRC'S developed GIS based surveillance system. (One can visit the site http://www.gisday.com/gisday/success_stories/international.html). The major advantages of this system are: i) Web hosting completely eliminates the traditional method of flow of information and the information is instantly available, ii) Once the basic structure is ready, it is easy to convert it to surveillance system; for any other disease viz. filaria, dengue, DHF, one needs to replace malaria data with the data of respective diseases, iii) Buffer zone creation capability of GIS can map the impact zone of any major breeding site, where control activity needs to be strengthened, iv)Net work analysis can identify catchment areas for some health facility and also appropriate sites for location of a new health facility.  Capacity Building A course module was developed and four health officers from Tamil Nadu, two from district and two from the State HQ were trained on GIS-based surveillance system. In consultation with District Malaria Officer and other health officers a revised schedule for surveillance to suit GIS based surveillance system was formulated which is now in action. Expected applications of GIS in disease management: The capabilities of GIS are tremendous which can be exploited in various ways; a few obvious applications are the following:
The tremendous capabilities of GIS can be exploited in various ways. Integration of GIS with remote sensing technology can possibly develop real-time information system for depicting potential surges in disease transmission for implementation of rapid response strategies. Its buffer zone creation capabilities can help in studying the impact of some specific vector breeding site on the community within its impact zone. Network capabilities can be applied to a variety of planning, administrative and operational activities. A blend of GIS with artificial intelligence can be used to develop rule based reasoning system for automatic interpretation of interacting themes 
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