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GIS Mapping of Malaria Prone Areas in Rural India
for Focused Intervention of Malaria Control
Abstract
Map World Forum 2009
Aruna Srivastava
EMERITUS PROFESSOR
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MALARIA RESEARCH
INDIA
arunasrivastava1@gmail.com
B N Nagpal
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MALARIA RESEARCH
INDIA
Rekha Saxena
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MALARIA RESEARCH
INDIA
A P Dash
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MALARIA RESEARCH
INDIA
Abstract
There are 58 species of Indian anophelines out of which six are major vectors of malaria in different
ecological settings. Ecological parameters viz. forest cover, rainfall, altitude, soil type and temperature
mainly governs the distribution of the species. Thematic maps of these parameters were used for mapping
of favorable area for distribution of the species. Digitization, overlaying and analysis was done using
ESRI’s Arc GIS 9.2 software. Reported distribution was taken as baseline information. A software was
developed to identify favorable range of each parameter for existence of vector species and favorable
range was extracted and integrated using a mathematical model developed. Field survey besides
validation of GIS mapping of favourable areas for distribution of the vector species revealed reappearance
of An. minimus after 50 years at Banbasa in Uttaranchal and first report from Dhubri in Assam. The study
was furthered at regional level in northeastern states namely, Sonitpur, Naogaon and Kamrup being
endemic state. Validation surveys were conducted, An. minimus the vector species was found in all the
villages falling in favourable areas whereas no vector was found in villages in non favourable areas.
Malaria cases were also recorded from villages in favourable area. Integration of favourable areas for
different species maps the areas prone to malaria. Rest of the area is safe for malaria and control
activities may be confined to problem areas for cost effective control. The technique is fast and can be
easily duplicated in other parts of the country/world. In any disease, once the vector distribution is known
species specific control measures can be formulated in cost-effective manner.
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