Integrating open source GIS and Google Earth™ for managing rural waterborne outbreaks

Limitation of cost and staff skill in using GIS technologies for health sectors are common barriers in developing countries. Cholera is the life-threatening disease that gives a major problem to the global region. This study demonstrates the potential applications open source GIS software and Virtual globes technology (e.g. Google Earth™) in local waterborne outbreaks mapping and analysis. This integrated technologies showed the disease database and map could dynamically display and qualitatively create a model hypothesis regarding relationship between the disease and its potential risk factors. Quantum GIS (QGIS) as the Open Source GIS software used to create geodatabase and map of cholera risk distribution, and then the software was combined with Google Earth™ to analyze the cholera spatial-temporal pattern in the high risk areas (e.g. populous and coastal areas). The technologies are not only strengthen local public health capacity but also assist policy makers and health practitioners to implement GIS and mapping technologies in their disease control programme and research.