Geospatial AI monitoring enters war on mossies

Researchers at Lingnan University have developed a more advanced mosquito infestation monitoring system using artificial intelligence to monitor risks and fight mosquito-borne diseases.

The system combines geospatial artificial intelligence technology, an internet of things platform, and geographic information to generate a mosquito risk index and a risk map.

Project leader Paulina Wong Pui-yun, also head of the science unit, said the system, which received HK$3.3 million in government funding, can collect more diversified data to provide real-time and predictive reports, and assist in predicting infestations and controlling mosquito-borne diseases with big data analytics.

By analyzing the mosquito population and meteorological data collected by more than 30 intelligent mosquito killer lamps installed in 16 districts, coupled with environmental data such as plants and water locations, it can generate a mosquito risk index.

The index is displayed in a one-to-eight scale, with higher values indicating higher mosquito risk. The team found Tuen Mun faces the highest mosquito risk, especially near water or parks.

People can visit the mosquito risk platform website to get real-time and predictive mosquito situations in districts. The platform can also take reference from Hong Kong Observatory data to indicate risks in districts in the coming three days.

In the next three days, the risk of infestations in the New Territories is highest near Kam Tin, Shek Kong and other areas.

"Knowing [that the risk] will be quite high for the next three days, maybe we will just do another spray. So, for residents and property managements, this will be important," she said.

Wong added she hoped to increase the number of killer lamps to about 100 to record more accurate data, and introduce smaller killer lamps that can be installed in smaller estates or public facilities.

She also said while the system collects data based on killer lamps and meteorological reports, public input is also important. Therefore, a notification mechanism has been set up on the website.

"Information on the number of cases of mosquito bites and people seeing mosquitos is most important and relevant. Together with GeoAI technology, we will be able to gather more accurate information on the seriousness of infestations in districts.''