Global positioning system & Google Earth in the investigation of an outbreak of cholera in a village of Bengaluru Urban district, Karnataka
Background & objectives: The global positioning system (GPS) technology along with Google Earth is used to measure (spatial map) the accurate distribution of morbidity, mortality and planning of interventions in the community. We used this technology to find out its role in the investigation of...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
2015-01-01
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| Series: | Indian Journal of Medical Research |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.ijmr.org.in/article.asp?issn=0971-5916;year=2015;volume=142;issue=5;spage=533;epage=537;aulast=Masthi |
| _version_ | 1798044918619308032 |
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| author | N R Ramesh Masthi M Madhusudan Yannick P Puthussery |
| author_facet | N R Ramesh Masthi M Madhusudan Yannick P Puthussery |
| author_sort | N R Ramesh Masthi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background & objectives: The global positioning system (GPS) technology along with Google Earth is used to measure (spatial map) the accurate distribution of morbidity, mortality and planning of interventions in the community. We used this technology to find out its role in the investigation of a cholera outbreak, and also to identify the cause of the outbreak.
Methods: This study was conducted in a village near Bengaluru, Karnataka in June 2013 during a cholera outbreak. House-to-house survey was done to identify acute watery diarrhoea cases. A hand held GPS receiver was used to record north and east coordinates of the households of cases and these values were subsequently plotted on g0 oogle e0 arth map. Water samples were collected from suspected sources for microbiological analysis.
Results: A total of 27 cases of acute watery diarrhoea were reported. Fifty per cent of cases were in the age group of 14-44 yr and one death was reported. GPS technology and Google Earth described the accurate location of household of cases and spot map generated showed clustering of cases around the suspected water sources. The attack rate was 6.92 per cent and case fatality rate was 3.7 per cent. Water samples collected from suspected sources showed the presence of Vibrio cholera O1 Ogawa.
Interpretation & conclusions: GPS technology and Google Earth were easy to use, helpful to accurately pinpoint the location of household of cases, construction of spot map and follow up of cases. Outbreak was found to be due to contamination of drinking water sources. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-11T23:12:36Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-f402ff513a9342fb83ee49a76208b279 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 0971-5916 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-11T23:12:36Z |
| publishDate | 2015-01-01 |
| publisher | Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Indian Journal of Medical Research |
| spelling | doaj.art-f402ff513a9342fb83ee49a76208b2792022-12-22T03:57:48ZengWolters Kluwer Medknow PublicationsIndian Journal of Medical Research0971-59162015-01-01142553353710.4103/0971-5916.171277Global positioning system & Google Earth in the investigation of an outbreak of cholera in a village of Bengaluru Urban district, KarnatakaN R Ramesh MasthiM MadhusudanYannick P PuthusseryBackground & objectives: The global positioning system (GPS) technology along with Google Earth is used to measure (spatial map) the accurate distribution of morbidity, mortality and planning of interventions in the community. We used this technology to find out its role in the investigation of a cholera outbreak, and also to identify the cause of the outbreak. Methods: This study was conducted in a village near Bengaluru, Karnataka in June 2013 during a cholera outbreak. House-to-house survey was done to identify acute watery diarrhoea cases. A hand held GPS receiver was used to record north and east coordinates of the households of cases and these values were subsequently plotted on g0 oogle e0 arth map. Water samples were collected from suspected sources for microbiological analysis. Results: A total of 27 cases of acute watery diarrhoea were reported. Fifty per cent of cases were in the age group of 14-44 yr and one death was reported. GPS technology and Google Earth described the accurate location of household of cases and spot map generated showed clustering of cases around the suspected water sources. The attack rate was 6.92 per cent and case fatality rate was 3.7 per cent. Water samples collected from suspected sources showed the presence of Vibrio cholera O1 Ogawa. Interpretation & conclusions: GPS technology and Google Earth were easy to use, helpful to accurately pinpoint the location of household of cases, construction of spot map and follow up of cases. Outbreak was found to be due to contamination of drinking water sources.http://www.ijmr.org.in/article.asp?issn=0971-5916;year=2015;volume=142;issue=5;spage=533;epage=537;aulast=MasthiCholera - Google Earth - GPS receiver - outbreak - spatial map - spot map |
| spellingShingle | N R Ramesh Masthi M Madhusudan Yannick P Puthussery Global positioning system & Google Earth in the investigation of an outbreak of cholera in a village of Bengaluru Urban district, Karnataka Indian Journal of Medical Research Cholera - Google Earth - GPS receiver - outbreak - spatial map - spot map |
| title | Global positioning system & Google Earth in the investigation of an outbreak of cholera in a village of Bengaluru Urban district, Karnataka |
| title_full | Global positioning system & Google Earth in the investigation of an outbreak of cholera in a village of Bengaluru Urban district, Karnataka |
| title_fullStr | Global positioning system & Google Earth in the investigation of an outbreak of cholera in a village of Bengaluru Urban district, Karnataka |
| title_full_unstemmed | Global positioning system & Google Earth in the investigation of an outbreak of cholera in a village of Bengaluru Urban district, Karnataka |
| title_short | Global positioning system & Google Earth in the investigation of an outbreak of cholera in a village of Bengaluru Urban district, Karnataka |
| title_sort | global positioning system google earth in the investigation of an outbreak of cholera in a village of bengaluru urban district karnataka |
| topic | Cholera - Google Earth - GPS receiver - outbreak - spatial map - spot map |
| url | http://www.ijmr.org.in/article.asp?issn=0971-5916;year=2015;volume=142;issue=5;spage=533;epage=537;aulast=Masthi |
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