DEVELOPMENT OF NEW METHODOLOGIES USING REMOTE SENSING AND GIS TECHNIQUE TO CONTROL VECTOR BORNE DISEASES FOR SITHERI HILLS, DHARAMAPURI DISTRICT, TAMIL NADU

In recent years, vector-borne diseases (VBD) have emerged as a serious public health problem in countries of the South-East Asia Region, including India. Health Information System (HIS) is one of the best preventive methods to control the vector borne diseases. Most of the developed countries are applying this system to form their own policy levels. In India, applying GIS in health sector has just begun. The present study area covers the geographical area of 654.52 Sq.km, one of the segments of Eastern Ghats of Dharmapuri district in Tamil Nadu, within the geographical limit of 78°15’00’ – 78°45’00’E longitude and 11°44’00’ - 2°08’00’ N latitude. Remote sensing covers vast area, including un-surveyed and inaccessible areas and thus helps in understanding the breeding and spreading patterns of vectors spatially. In the present study, totally 14 panchayat villages have been surveyed for vector habits. By using Survey of India toposheets, thematic maps were prepared such as base map, road network and water logged areas. In addition, the epidemiological survey has been carried out to estimate the mosquito diversity. Multidated satellite imageries of LISS III January 1998 and IRS P6 January 2010 were used to identify mosquito larval habitat. NDVI was performed to identify vector habits in inaccessible area of forest ecosystem using ENVI software. The study has developed a health information system by studying landscape ecology and vector biology. Arc GIS and remote sensing technology is used for the identification of high risk areas for the control of vector borne diseases which provide excellent means for visualizing and analyzing epidemiological data, revealing trends and inter-relationship for better tribal health management.