CHAPTER 6 MAPPING INTRODUCTION Maps are essential tools in the effective implementation of FMD control measures. They are used to define control zones, to plan surveillance and slaughter/removal activities, to assess aerial transmission patterns and to facilitate epidemiological investigations. This chapter describes the different types of maps, geographic information systems (GIS), ortho-photographic data and their uses. CONTENTS 1. Types of maps/gis data available 2. Uses of maps/gis 3. Sequence of events in regard to mapping protocol. Annex 1 Contact numbers for mapping personnel PAGE 1 OF 8
1. TYPES OF MAPS/GIS DATA AVAILABLE 1.1 Land Parcel Identification System (LPIS) The Land Parcel Identification System (LPIS) shows the farm outlines of all land held by farmers who have applied for support payments from the European Union. This data is held electronically on the DAF mainframe computer. The maps are updated annually and verified data are available by December of each year. Land parcels not claimed for in the Area Aid Scheme appear as blank areas on the output. Under a crisis situation these areas will require determination as to who owns and or has use of the land in question. The skeleton LPIS outline format lacks topographic detail. However this data can be layered on top of ordnance survey maps or ortho-photographic plates to show exactly where farms and farm fragments are located. For this purpose either the 1:50,000 Discovery Series or aerial photography is used as the topographic backdrop (see Figure 1 below). 1.2 Ortho-photographic maps Black and white high-resolution ortho-photography at 1:40,000 scale flown May 1995 shows on ground detail. This data was used extensively for field operations in 2001(see Figure 1 below). The intranet based i-map facility is scheduled to become available on the e-zone during 2003 and this will replace the black and white ortho-photography. Figure 1. Ortho-photography over printed with LPIS land parcel data (white outlines). PAGE 2 OF 8
CHAPTER 6 Figure 2. Ordnance Survey of Ireland (OSI) 1:50,000 Discovery Series map showing 3 km zone and limits of the protection and surveillance zones. 1.3 Ordnance Survey of Ireland (OSI) Discovery Series The Ordnance Survey of Ireland (OSI) Discovery Series 1:50,000 scale gives the broader topographic picture. This is essential for all large-scale maps showing outlines of control zones and also to facilitate navigation for those working within these zones (Figure 2). This series is available electronically in the Centre for Veterinary Epidemiology and Risk Assessment (CVERA) in the Veterinary College in Belfield. 1.4 The short range FMD HIRLAM virus dispersion model Met Eireann provides a modelling service for plotting the possible extent and geographic distribution of virus dispersion through the atmosphere. PAGE 3 OF 8
2. USES OF MAPS/GIS Management of a Class A disease requires a combination of hard copy maps for desk examination and on screen digitised map data to plan the daily strategies employed to combat the disease outbreak. The various map scales available to the NDCC and LDCC are described below. The different map sets are held both by CVERA and DAF. Some are now routinely available on the e-zone and are used for general disease control purposes. An example of this is the use of LPIS data in the Herdfinder facility for identifying contiguous herds. This programme will be modified during 2003 to provide additional dedicated facilities for dealing with an FMD situation. Some ortho-photography is available on the intranet but in the event of an FMD emergency facilities would be provided directly to the LDCC. 2.1 Small scale mapping Digital and paper formats of the Ordnance Survey of Ireland Discovery Series maps (1:50,000 scale 1cm on map = 500 m on ground) are used to define and illustrate the Protection Zone (3km) and Surveillance Zone (10km) within which animal movements are prohibited, and clinical surveillance is carried out. The Discovery Map Series allows interrogation to townland level, which are centroid labelled, and the road network defined to fourth order roads. Field personnel can use this type of map to navigate around the P and S zones. A hard copy of the standard Discovery Series map for the area should be provided to all field staff. Using electronic data map output can range in format from A4 through to A0. Maps of this type are suitable for public awareness and communications activities, both internal and external via the DAF Foot and Mouth web site, to illustrate and alert the public and media to the scale of disease and disease free areas, quarantine and movement controls associated with eradicating the disease. 2.2 Large-scale mapping farm level Available map data includes: a) Land Parcel Identification System (LPIS) county map sets, which hold data on land use and b) Ortho-photography the black and white format, flown May 1995, to a scale of 1:40,000, which shows detailed topographic information or the enhanced colour replacement i-map series, flown in 2000, and now in the process of being rectified and brought into general service. The Herdfinder programme provides LPIS based contiguity maps within each DVO. At time of publication this programme is being modified to provide similar outputs for the designated zones at 1 km, 3 km and 10 km. PAGE 4 OF 8
2.3 Application of HIRLAM data to LPIS data maps Figure 3 below illustrates the GIS combination of the large-scale LPIS data and the output from the transformation of the FMD_HIRLAM dispersion model data. The colour graduated windrose 10 km radius indicates virus concentrations on the farm LPIS data that enables the Disease Control Centre to target farms within the P and S zones. Figure 3. Land parcels in section of plume coverage 3. SEQUENCE OF EVENTS IN REGARD TO MAPPING PROTOCOL The FMD outbreak of 2001 established a mapping protocol that combined the technical facilities of the Department of Agriculture, National Disease Control Centre (NDCC) in Agriculture House and the mapping section of the Centre for Veterinary Epidemiology and Risk Assessment (CVERA) based in the Veterinary College, University College, Dublin. This protocol determines a strict sequence of events designed to efficiently and effectively put in place the key mapping facilities that are essential to contain the disease and prevent spread. The notification/confirmation of a suspect case(s) of foot and mouth disease triggers the immediate deployment of the mapping protocol. The sequence of operations is given below. PAGE 5 OF 8
3.1 The NDCC submit to CVERA: the herd/piggery unit/sheep flock number national grid co-ordinates defining the exact location of the suspect/infected premise(s) numbers and species of emitters on the premises the time frame determined from the beginning of the infection to time of slaughter of the suspect/infected animal(s) the reference number for the suspect/infected premises (FMD/year/XXX) to be used on all maps relating to the premises. 3.2 Concurrently, the national grid co-ordinates for the infected premise are used to define the Protection (3km radius) and Surveillance (10km radius) zones and maps are prepared for presentation on the e-zone and hardcopy printout. 3.3 As soon as movement restrictions associated with the Protection and Surveillance Zones have been established, the major threat of extension of an outbreak becomes wind-borne virus, especially if pig herds are involved. The short-range Foot-and-Mouth Disease Dispersion Model programme (FMD_HIRLAM) is used to interpret epidemiological, topographical and meteorological information to assist with control. In this way an at risk area that has received sufficient wind-borne FMDV to produce disease in cattle, the most susceptible species for airborne infection, can be accurately predicted. CVERA verify the location information and forward the data for the number and type of suspected cases (virus emitters), time period between infection to date of slaughter or current date to the Agricultural and Environmental Unit of Met Eireann. These data are then factored into the High Resolution Local Area Meteorology (HIRLAM) Foot-and-Mouth Disease Dispersion Model programme (FMD_HIRLAM). The output text-file data from the FMD_HIRLAM dispersal model is returned to CVERA where it is transformed using Microsoft Xcel spreadsheet software to generate a dbase v4 file. This is then joined into Arcview geographical information system software to output to a real world map referenced wind rose diagram that is overlaid on labelled farm outline maps. This shows the concentration of virus particles per cubic metre of air and the potential of the infection to spread over a wider area. 3.4 Concurrently contiguous premises to the suspect herd/piggery/sheep flock are determined. In the case of an infection in a cattle herd/sheep flock entry of the herd/flock number into the Class A Disease Monitoring Application (Herdfinder programme available in each DVO) outputs a LPIS based colour indexed map and a listing of the contiguous herds. PAGE 6 OF 8
3.5 Topographic maps with the visualised data overlaid (LPIS and wind dispersal plume) are then printed at the different scales required and forwarded to the NDCC and LDCC. The contiguous herd database (the herds surrounding the infected premise(s) and those that occur beneath the dispersal plume) is e-mailed to the NDCC. 3.6 The map co-ordinates and ancillary mapping information collected in real time over the course of an outbreak are factored into Geographical Information Systems on an ongoing basis to produce the map outputs required by the NDCC and LDCC to manage the outbreak. 3.7 In a multiple outbreak situation, such as occurred in the UK in 2001, the GIS experts from the CVERA will be transferred to the NDCC from their location at University College Dublin, to assist with mapping. PAGE 7 OF 8
ANNEX 1 CONTACT NUMBERS FOR MAPPING PERSONNEL (These numbers are included in the Mapping chapter of the FMD Operations Manual on the Department's Intranet) PAGE 8 OF 8 ANNEX 1 1 OF 1