Schistosomiasis risk assessment from space using high resolution Rapid Eye data

This study presents a risk assessment of the schistosomiasis disease transmission for a study site in eastern Burkina Faso. Environmental parameters derived from high resolution Rapid Eye data and SRTM data are weighted and integrated into a suitability index using an additive priority function. The spatial risk assessment of schistosomiasis transmission is calculated based on the snail habitat suitability, human settlement density and the distance between settlements and potential transmission areas. The risk assessment on the local scale presents a heterogeneous pattern of disease transmission risk, which could guide public health workers to hotspots of disease transmission and apply prevention and intervention measures more efficient.