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Using Graphic informational systems to track disease has created a wave of GIS jobs. Various disease causing factors, like West Nile Virus spread by mosquitoes, the avian flu, malaria, and even plant based diseases have all been tracked using GIS. Using newly developed methods and hand held computers, modern GIS is a tool that can help to contain and reduce the spread of disease, no matter where or what it may strike. Because the information is visual it can be easy to understand for both the professional and the lay person.  The value of this tool has prompted international agencies to create software and databases that are free to use for those countries that cannot afford commercial GIS products.

What GIS jobs do is allow states like Pennsylvania track outbreaks of things like West Nile in order to take steps to reduce spread and infection rates. The program in that state was started in 2000 after an outbreak of the virus in New York the year before that killed seven. With the CDC and GAO both calling for better disease reporting methods the use of GIS helps to provide a visual way to share collected information. While reporting is not consistent, it is expanding, and with it the jobs in the field are increasing.

It is vital that there will be quick and honest communication about the spread of disease for the safety of national and international public health. The response times to these infections can be shortened by effective use of GIS. It is not enough to simply track human cases, however.  GIS jobs must encompass domestic, wild, and exotic animals in addition to human outbreaks as viruses and other infectious agents display the tenancy to jump from species to species.  Thus the GIS field needs, more then ever, individuals who will collect data in the field and ensure that data makes it quickly back to the base where it can be included into the maps as fast as possible. One thing that would help is the change in systems to allow for rapid sharing of information where it applies to infectious agents on every level.

Because GIS is visual, the transmission of the data within a GIS map is quickly and effectively shared between both those who understand it and those being impacted by the data contained within it. This means that experts can deploy resources where it is needed first faster, saving lives and limiting infections. This vital ability makes GIS jobs in great demand where disease tracking is concerned. While there are still gaps in the system, Pennsylvania has created a map of how other states can implement similar programs to track not only West Nile but other infectious diseases. The methods used for this one case is already very similar to how other diseases are tracked. By expanding this to the use of handheld devices, gives individuals in the field instant access to the data and allow them to make reports to the system on the fly.

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