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Transforming Disease Vector Management Through the Development of User Friendly Applications. CDR Kenneth J. Stein, Ph.D.,MSC, USNR OIC FH FT Dix Det 05 steinkj@earthlink.net February 9, 2004. Objectives. To review the basics of tick ecology To review current issues within GIS methodology
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Transforming Disease Vector Management Through the Development of User Friendly Applications CDR Kenneth J. Stein, Ph.D.,MSC, USNR OIC FH FT Dix Det 05 steinkj@earthlink.net February 9, 2004
Objectives • To review the basics of tick ecology • To review current issues within GIS methodology • To review the procedures involved in producing tick threat maps • To review uses of tick threat maps
IntroductionWhy ticks? • Recent increases in the number of diseases transmitted by ticks • Lyme Disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Ehrlichiosis, and Babesiosis • Newly emerging diseases throughout the World; e.g., West Nile Virus
IntroductionWhy ticks?(cont.) • Developed for personnel on Federal Lands; e.g., Military, National Parks, etc. • Personnel could reduce exposure to ticks if they could predict where ticks were located • Preventive measures for various tick species exist—compliance is poor
IntroductionSite Location • Fort Pickett is a 45,000 acre Virginia National Guard training area • It consists of mixed hardwood forests, mostly oaks and loblolly pines • Fort Pickett holds a variety of other habitats: riverine and wetlands, meadows and thickets • Large number of personnel who train annually, > 10,000 in summer
GIS Challenge • Problems that stem from limitations of equipment and interpreting results: • Issues of Scale • Habitat Heterogeneity • Paucity of Data
MethodsTick Collection Ticks were collected using timed-walks with tick drags
MethodsTick Collection • 1st yr. 18 sites and visited each site 10 times = 180 collections • Baseline data • Presence/Absence models • Tentative density predictions • 2nd yr. 136 unique site visits • 350 minutes in each of 7 habitat/edge categories
MethodsGeographic Information Systems Ticks were collected from over 136 sites during the 2nd year
Results: Tick and Habitat DataProc GENMOD - SAS • 2 variables • Nymphs and Adults: Forest and Edge • Larvae: No relationships, primary aspects • 4 variables • Nymphs and Adults: Forest and Edge • Larvae: Disturbed and Maturing
ResultsMean Encounter Rates • Nymphs and Adults • 0-1 = low • 2-4 = moderate • > 4 = high • Larvae • 0-1 = low • 2-10 = moderate • > 10 = high
ResultsMean Encounter Rates • 1st yr. • Adults = 78% • Nymphs = 90% • Larvae = 98% • 2nd yr. • Adults = 78%; P=0.001 • Nymphs = 95%; P=0.001 • Larvae = 98%; P=0.037
ResultsData Analysis • Linking the results from our habitat models and mean encounter rates with… • Vegetation map is embedded within our orthophoto
Results: SummaryTwo sets of Analyses • Models that show distributions or associations with habitats • Mean encounter rates implicit within tick distribution models
Conclusions • Tick threat assessment maps are a decision-making tool for: • Minimizing exposure to ticks • IPM & reducing insecticides in the environment • As a guide for vegetation management to reduce tick habitat
Conclusions(cont.) • For use by: • Troops before/after deployment • Field crews/natural resource personnel • Preventive medicine personnel
Vision • Develop set of rules for disease vectors • Develop predictive models • Develop these as components • Develop disease vector maps
Acknowledgments • LTC Cannon, LTC Johnson, Karl Neidhardt, Ben Pagac, Melissa Miller, and Alexandra Spring, CHPPM • Scott Klopfer, Conservation Management Institute • Virginia Department of Military Affairs, Fort Pickett, VA • Clara M. Stein