Public Health West Nile Virus

About the Program

Category: Information Technology (Best in Category)

Year: 2014

Tarrant County Information Technology Department’s (ITD) Geographical Information System (GIS) team, in collaboration with Tarrant County Public Health (TCPH), developed a West Nile Virus (WNV) application during the West Nile Virus season of 2012. That season was exceptionally active in North Texas and prompted all regional Public Health departments to become more pro-active in effectively disseminating information to the public. The first phase of this project (Summer 2012) involved the development of an internal mapping site for Tarrant County Public Health staff. Initial functionality included the ability to search for positive/negative mosquito traps and positive human cases. Search criteria used for this functionality include date range, buffer distance, zip code, and city. A timeline slide bar was also developed as another way of graphically displaying data through a chronological sequence. The second phase of this project (Spring 2013) involved the development of a public facing site. New features and functionality include the ability to download statistical information generated from spatial queries (demographics), a more robust timeline tool, display of current and projected spray areas (aerial and ground), and a document management area for public announcements.