The Andhra Pradesh government launched an AI-driven initiative to control mosquitoes effectively. Named the Smart Mosquito Surveillance System (SMoSS), it aims to monitor and reduce mosquito populations using advanced technology. The pilot covers 66 locations in six major municipal corporations including Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada. This marks step in integrating artificial intelligence into public health management.
Overview of SMoSS Initiative
SMoSS is a tech-based mosquito control programme using AI sensors, drones, and smart devices. It detects mosquito species, gender, population density, and environmental factors like temperature and humidity. The system sends automatic alerts when mosquito density exceeds safe limits. This enables quick and targeted responses, replacing traditional blind spraying methods.
Technology and Operations
The system employs Internet of Things (IoT) sensors for real-time mosquito monitoring. Drones spray larvicides efficiently over large areas, reducing chemical use and costs. A live dashboard streams data to a central server for continuous tracking. Operations are outsourced to specialised agencies with payment linked to results. Mobile apps help track complaints from citizens and field workers.
Health Integration and Data Use
Hospitals report daily cases of dengue, malaria, and chikungunya. This data helps identify mosquito hotspots for focused action. Fogging and larval treatments are planned specifically for these areas. The programme emphasises prevention of vector-borne diseases through containment of mosquito populations.
Impact on Public Health and Governance
SMoSS aims to safeguard public health by using data-driven and timely interventions. It reduces reliance on indiscriminate chemical spraying. The initiative reflects Andhra Pradesh’s broader vision to embed AI in governance and improve citizens’ quality of life. It demonstrates how technology can address environmental and health challenges effectively.
Geographical Coverage and Scale
The pilot project is active in six municipal corporations – Visakhapatnam (16 locations), Vijayawada (28), Kakinada (4), Rajamahendravaram (5), Nellore (7), and Kurnool (6). This wide coverage helps test the system’s efficiency in diverse urban settings before possible expansion.
Future Prospects
If successful, SMoSS could serve as a model for other states and countries facing mosquito-borne disease challenges. The focus on AI and IoT integration in public health may encourage similar innovations in vector control and disease prevention.
Questions for UPSC:
- Point out the role of artificial intelligence in transforming public health management in India.
- Critically analyse the impact of Internet of Things (IoT) technologies on urban governance and service delivery with suitable examples.
- Estimate the challenges and opportunities in integrating drone technology for environmental and health applications in India.
- What are vector-borne diseases? How does climate change influence their spread and what measures can be adopted to control them?
Answer Hints:
1. Point out the role of artificial intelligence in transforming public health management in India.
- AI enables real-time disease surveillance and early detection through data analytics.
- It facilitates targeted interventions, reducing reliance on blanket measures (e.g., SMoSS targeting mosquito hotspots).
- AI-driven tools improve resource allocation and operational efficiency in health programs.
- Integration with health data (hospital reports) allows predictive modeling and hotspot identification.
- Enhances citizen engagement via apps and automated alerts, improving responsiveness.
- Supports government initiatives to embed technology in governance, improving overall public health outcomes.
2. Critically analyse the impact of Internet of Things (IoT) technologies on urban governance and service delivery with suitable examples.
- IoT enables continuous monitoring of urban parameters (e.g., mosquito density, air quality) for data-driven decision-making.
- Improves efficiency by automating alerts and guiding targeted actions, reducing wasteful practices (e.g., blind spraying replaced by SMoSS).
- Facilitates real-time communication between citizens and authorities via mobile apps for complaints and feedback.
- Challenges include infrastructure costs, data privacy, and need for skilled workforce.
- Examples – Smart mosquito surveillance in Andhra Pradesh, smart traffic management, smart water meters in cities.
- IoT enhances transparency and accountability by linking payments to results and tracking field operations.
3. Estimate the challenges and opportunities in integrating drone technology for environmental and health applications in India.
- Opportunities – Efficient coverage of difficult terrains, precise application of chemicals (e.g., larvicides), cost and time savings.
- Supports rapid response and large-scale monitoring in vector control and disaster management.
- Challenges – Regulatory hurdles, airspace management, privacy concerns, and technical limitations (battery life, payload capacity).
- Need for trained operators and maintenance infrastructure for sustainable use.
- Potential to integrate with AI and IoT for smart environmental monitoring systems.
- Examples include SMoSS drone larvicide spraying, agricultural pest control, and pollution monitoring.
4. What are vector-borne diseases? How does climate change influence their spread and what measures can be adopted to control them?
- Vector-borne diseases are illnesses transmitted by vectors like mosquitoes, ticks (e.g., malaria, dengue, chikungunya).
- Climate change affects vector habitats by altering temperature, humidity, and rainfall patterns, expanding vector range.
- Warmer temperatures accelerate vector breeding cycles and pathogen incubation periods.
- Increased urbanization and water stagnation due to erratic rainfall create breeding grounds.
- Control measures include surveillance (AI/IoT tools), environmental management, targeted spraying, public awareness, and healthcare integration.
- Climate-resilient health infrastructure and intersectoral coordination are essential for long-term control.
