[Different potentials of a geographic information system for studies in epidemiology: example of animal trypanosomiasis in the Sudan region].

The epidemiology of vector-borne diseases is complex due to variability in the ecology of the different actors involved, i.e., hosts, parasites and vectors. Transmission of animal trypanosomiasis in the West African savannah region is an excellent example of this complexity. Because of the importance of place and time in determining the interface between host and vector, a broad view of the overall environment is necessary to understand the variety of situations that can be encountered in an epidemiological system. Spatial distribution is a key factor for risk evaluation. State-of-the-art geographic information systems (GIS) have provided new insight into this complex epidemiology. GIS is a powerful technology that has been used mainly in map-making. An enormous amount of knowledge can be gained simply by geographical data projection. However GIS also allows juxtaposition of different types of information, creation of new variables, testing of theories and correlations, and generation of predictive models. The purpose of this article is to exemplify the potential applications of GIS using a recent study carried out on animal trypanosomiasis in a cattle-raising area of Burkina Faso.