Control of tropical diseases using geographic information systems (GIS).

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is providing  new tools which allows collation, mapping and analysis of empirical survey of infection data for tropical disease management. Although the geographic approach has long been integrated into tropical disease control programs, the linkage between geography and health in general have only come to the fore in recent decades .Technological progress has led to the emergence of this new computerized analysis tools whose use in the health field vary from the simple automated mapping of epidemiological data , to the sophisticated analysis of satellite images which demonstrate vector/environment relationships. GIS have already been widely used in other sectors such as the management of natural resources, agriculture, and rural and urban planning.   This paper reviews the current nformation about tropical disease control with specific examples, using GIS. Information was sourced from the internet, WHO Technical Reports and journals.