Chicago, IL and Norwalk, CT (October 7, 2003) - LinksPoint, the leader in Location Powered Solutions™, today announced that the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) has begun utilizing its LinksPoint VectorWatch™ geographic risk modeling system to aid in the prevention of West Nile Virus by identifying areas within the city where disease activity is present. 

The LinksPoint VectorWatch geographic risk modeling system is used as a tool to help CDPH officials more quickly and efficiently determine which areas of the city of Chicago are at elevated risk for outbreaks of the disease and plan actions to reduce the threat to the population.

 The LinksPoint VectorWatch system works by applying sophisticated statistical and geographic analysis techniques to dead bird reports collected when citizens call 311 and by other reporting methods. All data is analyzed on a daily basis and digital maps are generated showing areas at risk for the disease. Areas at risk are identified as ½-mile square "hot spots" superimposed on a map of the city. The model also provides all street segments in the "hot spots."

 "We learned a lot from last summer's experience with West Nile Virus in Chicago and we are using both tried-and-true and innovative methods, like the LinksPoint VectorWatch system, to better control the mosquito population and the disease," said CDPH Deputy Commissioner William Paul, M.D. "This program allows CDPH to make more informed decisions about where to apply our efforts against mosquitoes, with the goal of more effectively protecting the population from West Nile Virus."

 "Geographic modeling takes the fight against West Nile Virus up a notch by showing communities where the greatest threats are with a high degree of specificity," said Michael Forbes, LinksPoint Vice President. "LinksPoint VectorWatch gives public health officials a powerful 'early warning system' for the prevention of West Nile Virus."

The LinksPoint VectorWatch geographic risk modeling system is based on techniques developed by Dr. Sean Ahearn, Constandinos Theophilides and others at the Center for Analysis and Research of Spatial Information (CARSI) at Hunter College in New York City. LinksPoint VectorWatch was built using GE Power Systems' Smallworld™ GIS, using Smallworld's Magik™ programming language. LinksPoint VectorWatch is commercially available to government agencies through Clarke Mosquito Control of Roselle, IL. Visit www.clarkemosquito.com.

ABOUT LINKSPOINT
LinksPoint provides Location Powered Solutions™ built around three enabling technologies - Global Positioning System (GPS), Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Mobile Computing. Transportation companies, utilities and government agencies use LinksPoint's software products. LinksPoint technology was used by the FDNY at Ground Zero, an application that won the 2002 Exemplary System in Government Award from the Urban and Regional Information System Association (URISA) LinksPoint also designs and manufactures GPS receivers for mobile computing devices and ruggedized handheld computers. For more information, visit www.linkspoint.com. 

ABOUT GE POWER SYSTEMS 
GE Power Systems (www.gepower.com ) is one of the world's leading suppliers of power generation technology, energy services and management systems, with 2001 revenues exceeding $20 billion. The business has the largest installed base of power generation equipment in the global energy industry. GE Power Systems provides equipment, service and management solutions across the power generation, oil and gas, distributed power and energy rental industries. 

ABOUT CLARKE MOSQUITO CONTROL 
Clarke Mosquito Control has been at the forefront of the mosquito control industry since 1946, offering services, products, equipment and education that aid in the control of mosquito populations. For more information, visit the company's Web site at www.clarkemosquito.com. 

Magik and Smallworld are trademarks of the General Electric Company.

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