title: Mapping Zika virus infection using geographical information systems in Tolima, Colombia, 2015-2016.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Geographical information systems (GIS) have been extensively used for the development of epidemiological maps of tropical diseases, however not yet specifically for Zika virus (ZIKV) infection.
  
  
  METHODS
  Surveillance case data of the ongoing epidemics of ZIKV in the Tolima department, Colombia (2015-2016) were used to estimate cumulative incidence rates (cases/100,000 pop.) to develop the first maps in the department and its municipalities, including detail for the capital, Ibagué. The GIS software used was Kosmo Desktop 3.0RC1®. Two thematic maps were developed according to municipality and communes incidence rates.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Up to March 5, 2016, 4,094 cases of ZIKV were reported in Tolima, for cumulated rates of 289.9 cases/100,000 pop. (7.95% of the country). Burden of ZIKV infection has been concentrated in its east area, where municipalities have reported >500 cases/100,000 pop. These municipalities are bordered by two other departments, Cundinamarca (3,778 cases) and Huila (5,338 cases), which also have high incidences of ZIKV infection. Seven municipalities of Tolima ranged from 250-499.99 cases/100,000 pop., of this group five border with high incidence municipalities (>250), including the capital, where almost half of the reported cases of ZIKV in Tolima are concentrated.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Use of GIS-based epidemiological maps helps to  guide decisions for the prevention and control of diseases that represent significant issues in the region and the country, but also in emerging conditions such as ZIKV.
authors.affiliation: Public Health and Infection Research Group, Universidad Tecnologica de Pereira, Pereira, Colombia; Organización Latinoamericana para el Fomento de la Investigación en Salud (OLFIS), Riohacha, Colombia; Colombian Collaborative Network of Zika (RECOLZIKA), Pereira, Colombia.
authors.forename: Alfonso J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Rodriguez-Morales
authors.affiliation: Public Health and Infection Research Group, Universidad Tecnologica de Pereira, Pereira, Colombia.
authors.forename: Maria Leonor
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Galindo-Marquez
authors.affiliation: Public Health and Infection Research Group, Universidad Tecnologica de Pereira, Pereira, Colombia.
authors.forename: Carlos Julian
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: García-Loaiza
authors.affiliation: Public Health and Infection Research Group, Universidad Tecnologica de Pereira, Pereira, Colombia.
authors.forename: Juan Alejandro
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Sabogal-Roman
authors.affiliation: Public Health and Infection Research Group, Universidad Tecnologica de Pereira, Pereira, Colombia.
authors.forename: Santiago
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Marin-Loaiza
authors.affiliation: Public Health and Infection Research Group, Universidad Tecnologica de Pereira, Pereira, Colombia.
authors.forename: Andrés Felipe
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Ayala
authors.affiliation: Regional Information System, Universidad Tecnológica de Pereira, Pereira, Colombia.
authors.forename: Carlos O
authors.initials: CO
authors.lastname: Lozada-Riascos
authors.affiliation: Colombian Collaborative Network of Zika (RECOLZIKA), Pereira, Colombia; Secretary of Health of Ibagué, Ibagué, Colombia.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sarmiento-Ospina
authors.affiliation: Colombian Collaborative Network of Zika (RECOLZIKA), Pereira, Colombia; Secretary of Health of Tolima, Ibagué, Colombia.
authors.forename: Heriberto
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Vásquez-Serna
authors.affiliation: Public Health and Infection Research Group, Universidad Tecnologica de Pereira, Pereira, Colombia; Colombian Collaborative Network of Zika (RECOLZIKA), Pereira, Colombia; Secretary of Health of Tolima, Ibagué, Colombia.
authors.forename: Carlos E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Jimenez-Canizales
authors.affiliation: Colombian Collaborative Network of Zika (RECOLZIKA), Pereira, Colombia; Tongji Hospital - Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
authors.forename: Juan Pablo
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Escalera-Antezana
keywords: Colombia; Latin America.; Zika; epidemiology; public health; travelers