INTRODUCTION

Maps are essential tools in the effective implementation of FMD control measures. They are used todefine control zones, to plan surveillance and slaughter/removal activities, to assess aerial transmissionpatterns and to facilitate epidemiological investigations. This chapter describes the different types ofmaps, geographic information systems (GIS), ortho-photographic data and their uses.

CONTENTS1. 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

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MAPPING

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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 farmerswho have applied for support payments from the European Union. This data is heldelectronically on the DAF mainframe computer. The maps are updated annually and verified dataare available by December of each year. Land parcels not claimed for in the Area Aid Schemeappear as blank areas on the output. Under a crisis situation these areas will requiredetermination 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 ontop of ordnance survey maps or ortho-photographic plates to show exactly where farms and farmfragments are located. For this purpose either the 1:50,000 Discovery Series or aerialphotography 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 ‘onground’ 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 2003and this will replace the black and white ortho-photography.

Figure 1. Ortho-photography over printed with LPIS land parcel data (white outlines).

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Figure 2. Ordnance Survey of Ireland (OSI) 1:50,000 Discovery Series map showing 3 km zoneand 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 broadertopographic picture. This is essential for all large-scale maps showing outlines of control zonesand also to facilitate navigation for those working within these zones (Figure 2). This series isavailable 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 geographicdistribution of virus dispersion through the atmosphere.

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2. USES OF MAPS/GIS

Management of a Class A disease requires a combination of hard copy maps for deskexamination and on screen digitised map data to plan the daily strategies employed to combatthe disease outbreak. The various map scales available to the NDCC and LDCC are describedbelow.

The different map sets are held both by CVERA and DAF. Some are now routinely available onthe e-zone and are used for general disease control purposes. An example of this is the use ofLPIS data in the ‘Herdfinder’ facility for identifying contiguous herds. This programme will bemodified during 2003 to provide additional dedicated facilities for dealing with an FMDsituation.

Some ortho-photography is available on the intranet but in the event of an FMD emergencyfacilities 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 (1:50,000scale – 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, andclinical 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 tonavigate around the P and S zones.

A hard copy of the standard Discovery Series map for the area should be provided to allfield staff.

Using electronic data map output can range in format from A4 through to A0. Maps of this typeare suitable for public awareness and communications activities, both internal and external viathe DAF Foot and Mouth web site, to illustrate and alert the public and media to the scale ofdisease and disease free areas, quarantine and movement controls associated with eradicating thedisease.

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-Mapseries, flown in 2000, and now in the process of being rectified and brought into generalservice.

The Herdfinder programme provides LPIS based contiguity maps within each DVO. At time ofpublication this programme is being modified to provide similar outputs for the designated zonesat 1 km, 3 km and 10 km.

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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 fromthe transformation of the FMD_HIRLAM dispersion model data. The colour graduated windrose10 km radius indicates virus concentrations on the farm LPIS data that enables the DiseaseControl 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 facilitiesof the Department of Agriculture, National Disease Control Centre (NDCC) in AgricultureHouse and the mapping section of the Centre for Veterinary Epidemiology and Risk Assessment(CVERA) based in the Veterinary College, University College, Dublin. This protocol determinesa strict sequence of events designed to efficiently and effectively put in place the key mappingfacilities that are essential to contain the disease and prevent spread.

The notification/confirmation of a suspect case(s) of foot and mouth disease triggers theimmediate deployment of the mapping protocol. The sequence of operations is given below.

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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 thesuspect/infected animal(s)

• the reference number for the suspect/infected premises (FMD/year/XXX) – to be used on allmaps relating to the premises.

3.2 Concurrently, the national grid co-ordinates for the infected premise are used to define theProtection (3km radius) and Surveillance (10km radius) zones and maps are prepared forpresentation on the e-zone and hardcopy printout.

3.3 As soon as movement restrictions associated with the Protection and Surveillance Zones havebeen 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 Modelprogramme (FMD_HIRLAM) is used to interpret epidemiological, topographical andmeteorological information to assist with control. In this way an “at risk” area that has receivedsufficient wind-borne FMDV to produce disease in cattle, the most susceptible species forairborne infection, can be accurately predicted.

CVERA verify the location information and forward the data for the number and type ofsuspected cases (virus emitters), time period between infection to date of slaughter or currentdate to the Agricultural and Environmental Unit of Met Eireann. These data are then factored intothe High Resolution Local Area Meteorology (HIRLAM) Foot-and-Mouth Disease DispersionModel programme (FMD_HIRLAM).

The output text-file data from the FMD_HIRLAM dispersal model is returned to CVERA whereit 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 realworld map referenced ‘wind rose’ diagram that is overlaid on labelled farm outline maps. Thisshows the concentration of virus particles per cubic metre of air and the potential of the infectionto spread over a wider area.

3.4 Concurrently contiguous premises to the suspect herd/piggery/sheep flock are determined. In thecase of an infection in a cattle herd/sheep flock entry of the herd/flock number into the Class ADisease Monitoring Application (Herdfinder programme available in each DVO) outputs a LPISbased colour indexed map and a listing of the contiguous herds.

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3.5 Topographic maps with the visualised data overlaid (LPIS and wind dispersal plume) are thenprinted at the different scales required and forwarded to the NDCC and LDCC. The contiguousherd database (the herds surrounding the infected premise(s) and those that occur beneath thedispersal plume) is e-mailed to the NDCC.

3.6 The map co-ordinates and ancillary mapping information collected in real time over the courseof an outbreak are factored into Geographical Information Systems on an ongoing basis toproduce 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 theCVERA will be transferred to the NDCC from their location at University College Dublin, toassist with mapping.

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ANNEX 1

CONTACT NUMBERS FOR MAPPING PERSONNEL

(These numbers are included in the Mapping chapter of the FMD Operations Manual on theDepartment's Intranet)

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ANNEX 1

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APRIL 2003