Hot Spot Analysis For Virus Incident Data

[NobuhleMatanga]

I am running a hot spot analysis on point data representing samples that have been submitted for rabies testing, the values for each point is either 0 (sample came back negative) or 1(sample came back positive).  Is better to integrate and collect   only the positive samples and run a hot spot analysis on those samples, or is it possible to include all the point data in the analysis?

[DanPatterson_Retired]

I would include both. 

The absence of an object or phenomenon is just as valid as its presence. 

In fact, the absence at a location may indicate that there is something positive about its environment that leads to this. 

People often focus on the 'presence' of things, erroneously ignoring that 'absence' may be of equal or more importance.

In your particular case... maybe there are hot spots of 'absences' of rabies

Why would the absence be more important than the presence?

[NobuhleMatanga]

Thanks for your response!