GIS-aided planning of insecticide spraying to control dengue transmission

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this paper is to integrate a multi-objective integer programming formulation and geographic information system (GIS) into dynamically planning the insecticide spraying area for preventing the transmission of dengue fever. METHODS: The optimal spraying area to combat dengue infections is calculated by the multi-objective integer programming model using the dengue epidemic in 2007 in Tainan City of southern Taiwan and is compared with the areas actually sprayed by the local health department. The dynamic epidemic indicators (i.e. frequency, intensity and duration) that identify major temporal characteristics of the dynamic process of an epidemic are all incorporated into the model. RESULTS: The results indicate that the model can design the spraying area effectively when the trade-off between the coverage of dengue epidemics risk and area compactness is considered. CONCLUSIONS: The model provides an alternative way to obtain a cost-effective spraying area in controlling future dengue epidemics. The proposed model in this study will be beneficial for strategically allocating dengue control resources.