About GIVeS

The GIVeS program aims to improve Geographic Information Systems (GIS) capacity for disease vector surveillance. It targets operational staff by developing and delivering accessible trainings.

In a post Zika and Ebola world, it is clear that investments in health systems strengthening and emergency preparedness are critical. There are many key attributes of surveillance and control of disease outbreaks; however, this data no matter the context is inherently spatial. For effective and efficient prevention and control, programs need to understand where problems are located. An ability to manage and present disease data spatially via GIS created maps improves the efficiency of evidence-based decisions in times where time and resources are limited. GIS facilitate the manipulation, storage and display of key data. For vector-borne diseases, control programs might use GIS to survey and monitor vector distribution and abundance, as well as track the numbers and locations of disease cases.

The GIVeS program is a partnership between Emory University’s Center for Humanitarian Emergencies, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It was initially developed as part of the response to the 2016 Zika virus outbreak in Latin America and the Caribbean, but is now evolving from a singular focus on Aedes Egypti to other areas that impact population health and expanding its geographic reach.

The GIVeS Tier 1 is a five-day course developed to focus on practical exercises using the free and open-source software QGIS. The training covers the following topics:

  • Day 1: QGIS installation, familiarisation, making maps with existing data
  • Day 2: Manipulating disease vector data in Excel, mapping with QGIS
  • Day 3: Collecting GPS data using a phone app, mapping with QGIS
  • Day 4: Importing public data & spatial analyses
  • Day 5: Producing maps using participant’s own data

A GIVeS Tier 2 training was developed and piloted. It is also a five-day course, covering the following topics:

  • Day 1: QGIS installation, familiarisation, making maps with existing data
  • Day 2: Manipulating disease vector data in Excel, mapping with QGIS
  • Day 3: Collecting GPS data using a phone app, mapping with QGIS
  • Day 4: Importing public data & spatial analyses
  • Day 5: Producing maps using participant’s own data