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Grubesic TH, Nelson JR, Wallace D, Eason J, Towers S, Walker J. Geodemographic insights on the COVID-19 pandemic in the State of Wisconsin and the role of risky facilities. GEOJOURNAL 2021; 87:4311-4333. [PMID: 34539044 PMCID: PMC8435185 DOI: 10.1007/s10708-021-10503-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) continues to impact the United States. While age and comorbid health conditions remain primary concerns in the community-based transmission of the virus, empirical evidence continues to suggest that substantial variability exists in the geographic and geodemographic distribution of COVID-19 infection rates. The purpose of this paper is to provide an alternative, spatiotemporal perspective on the pandemic using the state of Wisconsin as a case study. Specifically, in this paper, we explore the geographic nuances of COVID-19 and its spread in Wisconsin using a suite of spatial statistical approaches. We link detected hot spots of COVID-19 to local geodemographic profiles and the presence of high-risk facilities, including federal and state correctional facilities. The results suggest that the virus disproportionately impacts several communities and geodemographic groups and that proximity to risky facilities correlates to increased community infection rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tony H. Grubesic
- Geoinformatics and Policy Analytics Laboratory, School of Information, University of Texas at Austin, 1616 Guadalupe St., Austin, TX 78701 USA
| | - Jake R. Nelson
- Geoinformatics and Policy Analytics Laboratory, School of Information, University of Texas at Austin, 1616 Guadalupe St., Austin, TX 78701 USA
- Department of Geosciences, Auburn University, Auburn, USA
| | - Danielle Wallace
- Center for Violence Prevention and Community Solutions, Arizona State University, Tempe, USA
| | - John Eason
- Department of Sociology, University of Wisconsin Madison, Madison, USA
| | - Sherry Towers
- Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Jason Walker
- School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, Arizona State University, Tempe, USA
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Witte C, Fowler JH, Pfeiffer W, Hungerford LL, Braun J, Burchell J, Papendick R, Rideout BA. Social network analysis and whole-genome sequencing to evaluate disease transmission in a large, dynamic population: A study of avian mycobacteriosis in zoo birds. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0252152. [PMID: 34106953 PMCID: PMC8189513 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0252152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
This study combined a social network analysis and whole-genome sequencing (WGS) to test for general patterns of contagious spread of a mycobacterial infection for which pathways of disease acquisition are not well understood. Our population included 275 cases diagnosed with avian mycobacteriosis that were nested in a source population of 16,430 birds at San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance facilities from 1992 through mid-2014. Mycobacteria species were determined using conventional methods and whole genome sequencing (WGS). Mycobacterium avium avium (MAA) and Mycobacterium genavense were the most common species of mycobacteria identified and were present in different proportions across bird taxa. A social network for the birds was constructed from the source population to identify directly and indirectly connected cases during time periods relevant to disease transmission. Associations between network connectivity and genetic similarity of mycobacteria (as determined by clusters of genotypes separated by few single nucleotide polymorphisms, or SNPs) were then evaluated in observed and randomly generated network permutations. Findings showed that some genotypes clustered along pathways of bird connectivity, while others were dispersed throughout the network. The proportion of directly connected birds having a similar mycobacterial genotype was 0.36 and significant (p<0.05). This proportion was higher (0.58) and significant for MAA but not for M. genavense. Evaluations of SNP distributions also showed genotypes of MAA were more related in connected birds than expected by chance; however, no significant patterns of genetic relatedness were identified for M. genavense, although data were sparse. Integrating the WGS analysis of mycobacteria with a social network analysis of their host birds revealed significant genetic clustering along pathways of connectivity, namely for MAA. These findings are consistent with a contagious process occurring in some, but not all, case clusters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmel Witte
- Disease Investigations, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, San Diego, California, United States of America
- Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
- Graduate School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, California, United States of America
| | - James H. Fowler
- Department of Political Science, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Wayne Pfeiffer
- San Diego Supercomputer Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Laura L. Hungerford
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Josephine Braun
- Disease Investigations, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, San Diego, California, United States of America
| | - Jennifer Burchell
- Disease Investigations, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, San Diego, California, United States of America
| | - Rebecca Papendick
- Disease Investigations, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, San Diego, California, United States of America
| | - Bruce A. Rideout
- Disease Investigations, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, San Diego, California, United States of America
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