Summary
The internet is used increasingly as an effective
means of disseminating information. For the past five years, the United
States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Veterinary Services (VS) has
published animal health information in internet-based map server applications,
each oriented to a specific surveillance or outbreak response need.
Using internet-based technology allows users to create dynamic, customised
maps and perform basic spatial analysis without the need to buy or
learn desktop geographic information systems (GIS) software. At the
same time, access can be restricted to authorised users. The VS internet
mapping applications to date are as follows: Equine Infectious Anemia
Testing 1972-2005, National Tick Survey tick distribution maps, the
Emergency Management Response System-Mapping Module for disease investigations
and emergency outbreaks, and the Scrapie mapping module to assist
with the control and eradication of this disease. These services were
created using Environmental Systems Research Institute
(ESRI)s internet map server technology (ArcIMS). Other
leading technologies for spatial data dissemination are ArcGIS
Server, ArcEngine, and ArcWeb Services. VS is prototyping
applications using these technologies, including the VS Atlas of Animal
Health Information using ArcGIS Server technology and the Map
Kiosk using ArcEngine for automating standard map production
in the case of an emergency.
Keywords
Animal
health, Equine infectious anaemia, Geographic information system,
Internet, Mapping, Scrapie, Ticks, United States of America, Veterinary
services, Web.
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