Spatial and temporal modelling for parasite transmission studies and risk assessment.

Spatial and temporal modelling of parasite transmission and risk assessment require relevant spatial information at appropriate spatial and temporal scales. There is now a large literature that demonstrates the utility of satellite remote sensing and spatial modelling within geographical information systems (GIS) and firmly establishes these technologies as the key tools for spatial epidemiology. This review outlines the strength of satellite remotely sensed data for spatial mapping of landscape characteristics in relation to disease reservoirs, host distributions and human disease. It is suggested that current satellite technology can fulfill the spatial mapping needs of disease transmission and risk modelling, but that temporal resolution, which is a function of the satellite data acquisition characteristics, may be a limitating factor for applications requiring information about landscape or ecosystem dynamics. The potential of the Modis sensor for spatial epidemiology is illustrated with reference to mapping spatial and temporal vegetation dynamics and small mammal parasite hosts on the Tibetan plateau. Future research directions and priorities for landscape epidemiology are considered.