Ramona Adams
Esri‘s geographic information system software is working to support the Department of Health and Human Services in efforts to track the spread of Zika virus and disseminate public information on the disease.
The company said Wednesday HHS’ Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response has used the GIS software to create a public interactive map that shows the number of Zika cases in every state.
GIS software works to apply U.S. census data to help ASPR and HHS agencies determine where to disseminate information that would reach women of child-bearing age and their partners, Esri added.
“Using GIS technology to locate the most vulnerable populations is a first step in educating people on the risks of the Zika virus and about actions that can protect health and curb the spread of disease,” said Este Geraghty, Esri chief medical officer and health solutions director.
ASPR also uses the software to monitor Zika virus in the U.S. and across 34 countries where Zika infections have been recorded, Esri said.
