Andhra Pradesh Leans On AI Tech To Tackle Mosquito Menace And Prevent Disease Spread

To strengthen its fight against mosquito-borne diseases during the monsoon, the Andhra Pradesh government is introducing an AI-powered initiative—the Smart Mosquito Surveillance System (SMoSS). This technology-first approach aims to replace manual, reactive mosquito control efforts with precision-driven, real-time interventions.

Spearheaded by the Municipal Administration and Urban Development (MAUD) Department, SMoSS will be piloted across 66 locations within six major municipal corporations: Visakhapatnam (16 locations), Vijayawada (28), Kakinada (4), Rajamahendravaram (5), Nellore (7), and Kurnool (6).

At the core of SMoSS is artificial intelligence, working through a network of smart mosquito sensors, IoT devices, and drones. These tools will identify mosquito species, determine gender and population density, and track climate variables such as humidity and temperature. When mosquito numbers cross a pre-set threshold, the system will trigger automated alerts to municipal teams, enabling targeted and timely fogging or spraying.

The use of drones for larvicide spraying adds an additional AI-integrated layer—covering wider areas efficiently, reducing chemical use, and lowering operational costs. A centralised dashboard will stream live data from all locations, helping civic officials monitor trends, coordinate action, and adjust strategies in real time.

Officials have stated that operations will be outsourced to tech-enabled agencies, with payments based on actual results to ensure accountability. Citizen complaints and on-ground inputs will be integrated through mobile platforms like Vector Control and Puramitra.

To enhance the AI system’s targeting accuracy, hospitals across the state will feed in daily reports of dengue, malaria, and chikungunya cases. These health data inputs will help identify hotspots, allowing for precise intervention plans and timely vector control.

With SMoSS, Andhra Pradesh is shifting towards data-led public health management. The AI-driven system is designed not just for efficiency, but to build a smarter, more proactive approach to disease prevention.

Published on: Tuesday, July 08, 2025, 10:32 AM IST