Integrating GIS and spatial analysis for mosquito-borne disease risk assessment: A Case Study of Sambalpur City

Background & objectives: The mounting urban health challenges caused by mosquito-borne diseases–including Dengue, Malaria, and Japanese Encephalitis (JE)– in Indian cities are partly due to rapid urbanisation processes and due to climate change. This research assesses the heterogeneous risk of mosquito-borne diseases (MBD) in Sambalpur City (Odisha, India) and uses geospatial analysis to identify environmental, climatic, and service provision drivers of transmission. Methods: Multi-temporal satellite imagery (Landsat 8 OLI/TIRS) and incidence records were analysed to provide a comprehensive understanding of land use/land cover, rainfall, and temperature. Results: Mapping of results indicated significant spatio-temporal clustering of MBDs; dengue risk was highest in areas of dense built-up development, JE in agricultural peri-urban locations, while malaria was near semi-rural water bodies. Monsoon rainfall and post-monsoon humidity were the two most significant drivers of MBD risk, although temperature variation had a considerable impact on vector activity. Spatial analyses indicated maximum disease vulnerability during the monsoon and post-monsoon seasons and revealed an ecological zonation of disease transmission patterns. Resource gap analysis indicated access to medical resources was highly fragmented in high-risk areas, particularly in the southern and peripheral wards of the city. Interpretation & conclusion: These findings, presented in an integrated risk-accessibility framework, suggest interventions that might improve health equity through the seasonally targeting of vector control, improved urban drainage and waste management, and strategically equitably diversifying access to health care. The methodology employed offers a standard, easy-to-replicate approach to sustainable MBD management practices in mid-sized Indian cities.