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Hyderabad: In a use-case for AI deployment in governance, the Andhra Pradesh government is set to launch an innovative tech-based mosquito control programme using Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Called the Smart Mosquito Surveillance System ("SMoSS"), the system will help track and control mosquito populations more efficiently and safely.
The pilot project will kick off at 66 locations across six major municipal corporations - Visakhapatnam (16 spots), Vijayawada (28), Kakinada (4), Rajamahendravaram (5), Nellore (7), and Kurnool (6).
SMoSS uses AI-powered mosquito sensors, drones, and other smart devices to detect mosquito species, gender, population density, and weather conditions like temperature and humidity.
When mosquito numbers cross safe limits in any area, automatic alerts will be sent so civic teams can act fast and carry out spraying or fogging operations.
“This will enable close monitoring and ensure prompt fumigation in the affected areas in a data-driven approach for effective control of mosquitoes instead of the present ‘blind spraying’ process that has little impact. The IoT sensors will monitor mosquito density and guide the targeted activity,” according to officials involved in the process, who recently reviewed the system’s capabilities.
By using drones for spraying larvicide, officials say the system will cover more ground in less time, with fewer chemicals, and at a lower cost. The system also includes a real-time dashboard that streams live data to a central server, allowing continuous tracking and quick response.
“We will be outsourcing the operations completely to specialized agencies and payment will be result-oriented by fixing operational accountability. Complaints, if any, from the citizens and field-level functionaries will be tracked via mobile applications (Vector Control and Puramitra),” said MA & UD principal secretary, S Suresh Kumar.
To further strengthen the response, hospitals across the state will send daily reports of cases like dengue, malaria, and chikungunya. Based on this, mosquito hotspots will be identified and targeted for action. Special plans are being prepared for fogging and larval treatment in those areas.
“The whole focus and approach of SMoSS is safeguarding public health. Prevention (of diseases) through containment (of vectors) will be the driving spirit,” said MA & UD director P Samparh Kumar.