Dengue fever stands out among vector-borne diseases as the most widespread arboviral ailment, recently spanning the globe. The virus is mainly transmitted by female Aedes aegypti and, to a lesser degree, Aedes albopictus mosquitos. These vectors also transmit Chikungunya, yellow fever, and Zika viruses. Dengue is caused by four virus serotypes (DEN-1, DEN-2, DEN-3, DEN-4) of the Flavivirus genus, allowing for potential infection four times (World Health Organization, 2009). A fifth serotype emerged in Malaysia in 2013 (Normile, 2013). Most dengue cases are asymptomatic or show minor symptoms, yet it can trigger severe flu-like illness across all age groups. Severe dengue, potentially fatal, results from plasma leakage, fluid accumulation, respiratory distress, bleeding, or organ impairment. WHO cites dengue's endemic status across 100+ countries in regions like Africa, the Americas, and Asia. The Americas, South-East Asia, and Western Pacific regions are hardest hit, with Asia accounting for ~70% of the global disease burden. Dengue prevails throughout the tropics, proliferating in urban poor, suburban, and rural areas, with local risk varying due to climate, social, and environmental influences.
Leveraging web-based surveys in tandem with Geographic Information System (GIS) technologies yields a potent avenue for robust monitoring, surveillance, and risk mapping within the domain of health studies, particularly concerning vector-borne diseases. Employing GIS enables the exploration of environmental variables interlinked with the risk of human transmission and the habitats fostering disease vectors. For enhanced monitoring and evaluation, acquiring insights into the spatial distribution and correlated details of households impacted by dengue becomes imperative. In this context, a Geographic Information System (GIS)-based approach to mapping dengue fever incidence emerges as a pivotal tool, instrumental in attaining this objective. By assimilating coordinate information of each afflicted household, alongside requisite non-spatial data and photographic documentation, this methodology offers a comprehensive solution.
Our overarching aim and objective revolve around:
1. The establishment of a meticulously designed framework.
2. Transparency, logic, and digital support are paramount across all government tiers:
⁜ Panchayat Authorities
⁜ Block Authorities
⁜ Sub-division Authorities
⁜ District Authorities
⁜ State Authorities
This framework is tailored to effectively manage outbreaks of Dengue and similar epidemic diseases. The WebGIS platform serves as a testament to our commitment, offering manifold advantages:
1. User-friendly Interface
2. Robust Support for Unified Updates
3. Seamless Integration of Management Information System (MIS) Data
4. Integration with Map View
5. Proficiency in Report Generation
6. Creation of Diverse Chart Types based on Specific Queries
7. Facilitation of Efficient Decision-Making
This capability empowers authorities with a comprehensive grasp of the scale and extent of crisis-prone regions, equipping them to enact targeted and effective preventative measures.