Visakhapatnam, India — The Municipal Administration and Urban Development Department of Andhra Pradesh is set to introduce a groundbreaking initiative aimed at combating vector-borne diseases through advanced technology. Dubbed the Smart Mosquito Surveillance System (SMoSS), this program will harness artificial intelligence to enhance mosquito control efforts across the state.
Officials announced Sunday that the pilot program will roll out in 66 targeted locations within six major municipal corporations, focusing initially on Greater Visakhapatnam and extending to Kakinada, Rajamahendravaram, Vijayawada, Nellore, and Kurnool. The innovative system is designed not only to protect public health but also to streamline operations for urban local bodies, aiming to cut costs and reduce the burden on civic staff.
SMoSS will employ an array of Internet-of-Things (IoT) technologies—including drones, sensors, and heat maps—to monitor mosquito populations closely. By utilizing smart sensors, the system will identify mosquito species, gender, and population density while tracking environmental conditions like temperature and humidity. This real-time data will be sent to a central server, allowing officials to monitor trends and receive automatic alerts when mosquito densities exceed established thresholds.
“This project aims to shift from traditional, less effective methods of mosquito control to a data-driven approach that ensures timely and targeted responses,” an official stated. The existing practice of widespread, indiscriminate spraying is being replaced with evidence-based strategies that focus on the specific areas most in need of intervention.
Drones will be utilized for the application of larvicides, providing an efficient means to cover larger areas while minimizing chemical use. This targeted approach not only reduces costs but also promotes environmental safety and public health.
The program will involve collaboration with specialized agencies, which will handle operations with an emphasis on results-oriented payments. Citizens and field staff will be able to report complaints using mobile applications designed for vector control, ensuring accountability and responsiveness.
In addition to preventive measures, a comprehensive reporting system will track daily cases of malaria, dengue, and chikungunya from hospitals. This data will help identify mosquito hotspots, allowing for more focused and effective intervention strategies.
With action plans in place for regular fogging and larval treatments in identified hotspots, the SMoSS initiative represents a significant step forward in the fight against mosquito-borne illnesses in Andhra Pradesh, signaling a new era of public health engagement in the region.