Sanitary maps showing the distribution of vector-transmitted infectious diseases have become an important tool when it comes to identifying areas at risk, and planning control and surveillance strategies.

Vector-transmitted diseases have always been an important issue to be addressed amongst scientists and health professionals. Plague, yellow fever, and malaria - just to mention a few - have caused tremendous distress to human mankind for centuries, causing hundreds of thousands of deaths, and even decimating large populations as in the case of the Black Plague that struck Europe in the Middle Ages.

Elaborating sanitary maps that show the distribution of vector-transmitted infectious diseases has become an essential tool not only for identifying areas at risk, but also in planning control and surveillance strategies. In fact, modern satellite imaging technologies allow epidemiologists, researchers and health professionals to improve the efficiency of their work. Furthermore, the so-called Geographic Information Systems (GIS) allow establishing remote sensors in order to monitor spatial and seasonal fluctuations that affect these diseases and the distribution of the vectors that transmit them.

Once that sufficient information has been obtained by these methods, the data obtained can be further compared to climate and phyto-geographic maps, flooding areas, population densities, and socio-economic distribution patterns. All together, the methodology described can yield sanitary maps that can be useful in identifying high risk areas and relevant components that affect the diseases` epidemiology, and in consequence to optimize the strategies used in their control.

The use of GIS has become frequent in several technological fields including agronomy, mining and oil extraction industries, and fishery, amongst others. It is also useful in identifying highly polluted areas and during natural catastrophes. Although its use in the field of epidemiology is more recent, the number of research groups that are using GIS in the particular field of vector-transmitted diseases is increasing rapidly.