ARS | Publication request: Using global information technology to detect, monitor, and control mosquito pest and disease vector populations.

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: March 1, 2007
Publication Date: N/A

Technical Abstract: Geographic Information Systems (GIS), image analysis, and remote sensing comprise global information technologies that are used to characterize pest and vector populations of mosquitoes. At this national meeting, scientists from ARS and McNeese State University organized and convened a half-day symposium on the use of the technologies for pest and vector mosquito detection and control. Participants included scientists from public health agencies, industry, academia, USDA, DoD, and NASA. Ten topics were presented in two afternoon sessions. The first session, presented by technical experts, focused on the characteristics and capabilities of GIS software, remote sensing, and image analysis technologies. The second session, presented by users of each technology in the research environment, focused on practical experiences with spatial analysis, remote sensing, forecasting/evaluating vector-borne disease outbreaks, and the development of early warning systems for emerging disease threats. Information provided in this symposium will be used by animal and public health agencies, vector control organizations, and by local, state, federal, and national governments to characterize and control pest and vector populations of mosquitoes.