Malaria remains a deadly disease affecting millions worldwide, with Africa shouldering the substantial burden. The WHO’s 2023 World Malaria Report reveals that malaria cases surged to 249 million in 2022, with Africa being home to 233 million of these cases. Several initiatives to achieve a malaria-free world are undergoing, with AI driving them to a higher level.
VectorCam is an AI-based tool developed by researchers at Johns Hopkins University, supported by the Gates Foundation and Uganda’s malaria control program. It leverages computer vision to automatically identify mosquito species and determine whether female mosquitoes have recently fed or developed eggs. This tool enables non-experts to capture and analyze mosquito images in the field using just a smartphone with a magnifying lens. This facilitates vector surveillance, which is crucial for targeted malaria interventions.
The tool is currently undergoing testing in Uganda aiming to address the shortage of vector control officers in Uganda. This increases the opportunity for more widespread and systematic monitoring in malaria-endemic areas. It sets an example for the benefits of AI adoption in malaria control efforts.
