AI Takes Control of Mosquitoes, Could Save Millions of Lives

Mosquitoes are the main carriers of dangerous tropical diseases such as malaria, dengue fever and Zika virus. These diseases take a tragic toll especially in the countries of the global south.

According to entomologist Tom Mascari, the mosquito is the most dangerous animal in the world – definitely deadlier than hippos, crocodiles, and even armed conflicts.

"Break Bone Fever" and Millions of Patients

Dengue, one of the most deadly mosquito-borne diseases, infects hundreds of millions of people each year. About 20,000 of them die. Because of the severe muscle and joint pain, dengue is sometimes called “breakbone fever.”

Although a vaccine has been developed against dengue, it is most effective in people who have already had the infection. For others, the best protection is to avoid being bitten – which can be particularly difficult in tropical conditions.

Female mosquitoes need the blood of mammals, including humans, to provide their offspring with the necessary minerals. They are the ones responsible for most infections. It should be remembered that they need to drink blood to be able to lay eggs. As Mascari explains, this allows the mosquito population to multiply, and with it the threat of diseases increases.

Artificial Intelligence: A Modern Weapon in the Fight Against Mosquitoes

Scientists at the University of South Florida have developed an innovative device that works on the principle of a smart trap. It uses artificial intelligence to identify mosquito species in real time.

How does it work? When a female approaches the device, she is sucked into the fan and sticks to a special surface. At the same time, a camera is activated and takes a picture. Ryan Carney, a professor of computer science at the University of South Florida, explains that algorithms analyze the image and use AI to recognize the species of mosquito and its anatomical features.

This information goes directly to the user and can be used by medical services to quickly respond to epidemiological threats. "Identifying places where disease-carrying mosquitoes occur is very important. Then public health services can reach them and start actions to prevent further outbreaks of infections," adds Sriram Chellappan, an AI and cybersecurity specialist.

The price of the device is to be around $150. This opens the way to its wide use in countries particularly exposed to tick-borne diseases. Perhaps soon chemical agents such as sprays or mosquito nets will be replaced by technologically advanced solutions supported by artificial intelligence.