The use of Geographic Information System (GIS) in the frame of the contingency plan implemented during the 1999-2001 avian influenza (AI) epidemic in Italy.

A Geographic Information System (GIS) is a very powerful and flexible software tool for effective management of spatially referenced data (e.g., geodata). Coupling database and GIS technology provides the tools for a detailed analysis of spatial patterns and distributions in veterinary applications. A specific veterinary GIS (VetGIS) toolbox was developed to perform the calculation of indices such as Lorenz curve, GINI index, and a kernel-based animal density estimation. This software was employed for the analysis and management of avian influenza in Italy during the 1999-2000 epidemic.